Safe Women, Strong Nations

On June 10, 2015, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs considered testimony from federal, state, and tribal officials during its oversight

The Safe Women, Strong Nations project is committed to addressing the situation in Alaska, where Native women endure some of the highest rates of sexual assault and domestic violence in the nation. One in two Alaska Native women will experience sexual or physical violence in her lifetime.

In March, Center participated in the 59th Session of the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women, which took place in New York. We submitted a joint statement with the National Congress of American Indians outlining why protecting indigenous women should be a priority when drafting future goals.

By Jana L. Walker

Published by Equal Voice | November 18, 2014

Sliver of a Full Moon— A play depicting indigenous women’s rights to be protected from violence and discrimination to be staged for world leaders.

On August 13 and 15, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will review the United States' compliance with it's international human rights obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). The review will take place in Geneva, Switzerland as part of the Committee's 85th Session.

In March 2014, the Center, along with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and its Task Force on Violence Against Women, the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC), and Clan Star, Inc., participated in the 58th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women to raise awareness about violence against indigenous women in the United States, with particular attention to Alaska Native women.

UN Documents | Letters of the President | Outcome Document

Memos regarding World Conference follow-up

A resource documenting the Center's advocacy within the Inter-American Human Rights System to combat violence against Native women in the United States.

Speaking to the high percentage of Alaska Native women who are sexually assaulted, Lisa Frank, Gwich’in, has two recommendations: “Keep telling people until someone believes you, and remember it’s not your fault, whatever the situation.”

Your voice matters in building awareness about violence against Native women. We need your help!

Links to the Center's shadow report and the Human Rights Committee's Concluding Obserservations.

VAWA 2013 recognizes the inherent authority of tribal governments to exercise special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction (SDVCJ) over certain defendants, regardless of Indian or non-Indian status, who commit acts of domestic violence or dating violence or violate certain protection orders in Indian country. This SDVCJ for tribal governments is not generally available until March 7, 2015.  Tribes can, however, assume accelerated jurisdiction by opting into the VAWA 2013 Pilot Project.  Procedures for the Pilot Project have been proposed by the Department of Justice and recently published in the Federal Register on June 14, 2013.  Comments on the proposed procedures are due September 12, 2013 and can be emailed to OTJ@usdoj.gov.

February 12 | Senate Passes S. 47, the VAWA Reauthorization Bill, by Bipartisan Vote of 78-22

February 7 |  Senate soundly rejects substitute VAWA bill aimed at eliminating protections for Native women.  Vote on S. 47 expected Monday

Jan. 23, 2013 -- Identical bills for VAWA have been introduced in both chambers of Congress. Tell Congress to pass an inclusive VAWA Now! Keep their phones ringing!

Native women in the United States are suffering horrendous rates of domestic and sexual violence—violence considered one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the United States.

September 5, 2012  |  Center releases a new video urging lawmakers to reauthorize a stronger version of the Violence Against Women Act.

Too many of my Native sisters don't expect justice. Instead, they talk with their daughters about how they will "survive" their rape. They've accepted the horrific statistic as a part of life.

ACT NOW! Tell Congress that all women need protection, regardless of their race, tribal residency status, national origin, or sexuality.