WILPF Boston brings WILPF’s national and international agenda to the streets. Browse the list below for ways you can tap into our energy. New members always welcome.

Learn what WILPFers around the US are doing right now by visiting the WILPF membership blog. Add your comments directly to the blog or if you have news to post, send your copy to cjminster@gmail.com.

Keep in touch with our congress people to let them know what we think. To contact members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, Click here!

Save the water!
Water is the earth's most precious resource. Access to safe and affordable water is a human right. Local, democratic control of water is essential for food security and peace. Everywhere accelerating privatization threatens public control over access to water while scarcity looms from overuse and pollution. WILPF's campaign starts with developing water literacy and awareness that the protection and use of water is a community issue. WILPF-fostered local water research and planning groups empower communities to take responsibility for their own water quality and availability. The campaign seeks to be a catalyst for a national mobilization to "take back the water" and move this vital resource for all life into the Public Trust” . . . . . (read more).
Local study and action group is convened by Marie; contact Marie.

Women Challenge US Policy in the Middle East
“Ninety years ago our WILPF founders had the vision and foresight to see the need for a Society of Nations and an International Court of Justice as a way to minimize and manage conflicts before they erupted into war. They founded the League as a means through which women could organize themselves and work effectively to bring about the needed changes.Today we must restate our vision for peace and call for a change in the direction of US Foreign policy. We call on elected officials to acknowledge the International Court of Justice, respect the dignity and human rights of every individual, recognize women's equality and adhere to the intent of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Charter, with specific reference to UN Resolutions 181,194, 242, 338, and other relevant resolutions regarding the settlement of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.” . . . (read more).
Local study and action group forming this summer; contact Claire.

DISARM! Dismantling the War Economy
STOP MILITARY MADNESS! Join us as we educate ourselves, our communities and our Congressional representatives -- and then act together to dismantle this war economy and build the world of peace and freedom we all really want! . . . (read more).

By coming together to stop the construction of a Level 4 bioweapons laboratory in Boston’s South End neighborhood, Massachusetts residents have a unique opportunity to challenge assumptions equating militarism with human security. To become involved in advocacy efforts contact Sue.

Building beloved community
WILPF challenges racial injustice by creating opportunities for open dialogue between diverse communities in order break down racial polarization. By taking an active role in the communitym we affect legislatve change in our national and international policies, and advocate justice through reparations, restoration and reconciliation. In Boston, WILPF members work towards racial and social justice by participate in Partakers, a faith-based project which reduces prisoner recidivism through access to education, civic engagement, and mentor relationships, and which advocates for humane treatment of prisoners. For more information, contact Audley.

Advancing Human Rights
Before the U.S. can effectively promote human rights abroad through its foreign policy, we as a country need to learn how to abide by the standards outlined in the international human rights treaties here at home. Therefore, WILPF's Advancing Human Rights/CEDAW committee supports the adoption of human rights legislation at the municipal and state level as a movement building strategy and important tactic for transforming U.S. legal culture. Through this work we embrace the opportunity to explore the interdependency and indivisibility of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, and contribute to the articulation of newly emerging rights such as those relating to development, human sexuality, and environmental sustainability.

WILPF has endorsed the National Health Care Act (HR676) introduced by Rep. John Conyers because it respects and protects the human right to health more adequately than other health care reform measures currently under discussion. . . . (read more).

WILPF Boston is a founding partner of the Massachusetts CEDAW Project [link to http://www.masscedaw.org] and actively supports the passage of the Massachusetts Human Rights for All bill (HB706). For information on these efforts or to subscribe to the HB706 electronic newsletter, contact Laura.