Racial Justice

Eliminate policies and practices that criminalize people of color

YWCA is committed to ensuring that everyone is afforded equal opportunity and equal protection under the law. Too often, however, stereotypes, biases, and racial power dynamics are embedded in our laws and public policies impacting a broad range of issues across education, justice, civic engagement, health, and other sectors. YWCA’s intersectional mission to eliminate racism and empower women demands that we advocate against the oppression and inequities that many groups and individuals endure.

YWCA urges bold action by elected officials to advance racial justice to:

• Pass legislation that addresses racism as a public health crisis and marshal resources across sectors to promote health and well-being in communities of color

• Defend and protect equal access to the ballot box

• Enact laws that safeguard people of color from police violence and increase police accountability

• Create safe, equitable educational environments that support learning for all students, especially those most impacted by school discipline and sexual harassment policies and practices

• Increase access to comprehensive youth mental health services that is culturally response, trauma-informed, and recognizes the unique experiences and impacts of youth of color

Download these resources to learn more:

• YWCA Racism is a Public Health Crisis Policy Statement

• YWCA Racial Justice and Police Accountability Policy Statement

• We Still Deserve Safety: Renewing the Call to End the Criminalization of Women and Girls of Color

• We Deserve Safety Report

• We Still Deserve Safety: Executive Summary