News Coverage & Press Releases

In a significant victory for women’s rights and the global fight against gender-based violence in Washington State, the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Bill sponsored by Senators Keiser, Dhingra, Cleveland, Nguyen, Saldaña, and Valdez was successfully passed and signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on April 20, 2023. This accomplishment was largely due to the tireless efforts of community members and state legislators who share a commitment to autonomy and bodily integrity for women and girls.

Sukai Gaye, Communications and Events Manager at LifeWire, is a member of the Washington Coalition to End Female Genital Mutilation, which consists of women’s rights organizations, survivor-led groups, and advocates who worked closely with lawmakers. The Coalition led a powerful campaign that emphasized the need for legislative action to protect girls and women from the irreversible physical and psychological harm caused by FGM. Introduced to the WA Coalition to End FGM by her friend Absa Samba, a survivor and leader of the coalition, Sukai’s relentless efforts, alongside the collective dedication of the coalition, advocates, and allies, led to the successful passage of the FGM Bill

Female Genital Mutilation, a harmful practice that adversely affects millions of girls and women worldwide, has become a growing concern for human rights advocates. Recognizing the urgency to protect vulnerable individuals in Washington State, Sukai committed herself to raising awareness, driving legislative action, and mobilizing support for the bill.

The newly enacted legislation not only criminalizes the practice of FGM but also establishes comprehensive support systems for survivors and preventive measures to eradicate this harmful tradition. Under this law, severe penalties await anyone found guilty of performing FGM or assisting in its execution, thus ensuring a stronger deterrent against this human rights violation.

The enactment of this legislation represents a milestone in the fight against FGM, positioning Washington State as the 41st state and a progressive leader in safeguarding the rights and well-being of women and girls. It serves as a testament to the power of grassroots activism, effective communication, and collaboration between community organizations and lawmakers.

Sukai, driven by her dedication to promoting gender equality and ending violence against women, played a pivotal role in garnering bipartisan support for the bill. Her passionate advocacy helped shape a compelling narrative around the urgency of the issue, collaborating with the Coalition to End FGM and rallying lawmakers to take action.

LifeWire provided support to Sukai in raising awareness about FGM and its detrimental effects on women and girls within the organization. The organization ensured Sukai had the necessary support to carry out her advocacy work and amplified her voice. She kept the progress of the legislation at the forefront of organizational discourse in All Staff meetings and in LifeWire’s Advocacy Team which Sukai co-chairs with DEIB Manager Freddy Vega.

As LifeWire celebrates this momentous achievement, Sukai continues her crucial work in promoting gender equality, supporting survivors, and advocating for policies that safeguard the rights and dignity of women. Her commitment to social justice sets an inspiring example for individuals and organizations alike, reaffirming LifeWire’s belief that positive change is possible through persistent advocacy and shared action.

LifeWire welcomes and supports the recent enactment of a groundbreaking law by the Washington State Legislature in 2023, aimed at safeguarding the rights of people seeking reproductive health care services and gender-affirming treatment. The legislation comes as a response to the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, emphasizing the importance of states having the authority to establish their laws pertaining to reproductive rights. The new law, known as HB 1469 or The Shield Law, aims to protect access to essential healthcare services in Washington.

Effective April 27, 2023, The Shield Law (HB 1469) provides comprehensive protections for providers of reproductive health care services or gender-affirming treatment in Washington state. This law ensures that these essential services are accessible to all individuals, regardless of their location or circumstances.

Protected healthcare services under HB 1469 encompass a wide range of medical, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, and preventative care related to the human reproductive system. This includes services such as pregnancy-related care, contraception, miscarriage management, termination of pregnancy, and gender-affirming treatment.

One of the key provisions of The Shield Law is its prohibition on complying with out-of-state legal processes concerning protected healthcare services in Washington. This protection extends to both civil and criminal processes, ensuring that patients and providers in Washington state are shielded from potential legal actions in other states that may threaten their access to these vital services.

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is empowered to intervene in case of violations and enforce the established protections. Healthcare providers, employees, or affiliates facing threats or harassment related to their involvement in protected healthcare services can now apply for address confidentiality through the Secretary of State’s Address Confidentiality Program.

The passage of HB 1469 reflects Washington State’s commitment to safe and inclusive healthcare policies by safeguarding access to healthcare services and gender-affirming care without fear of legal repercussions. This law helps to ensure that Washington will remain a supportive healthcare environment that upholds the well-being and dignity of all.

LifeWire fully supports these legislative measures, as they align with our mission to empower survivors of domestic violence and ensure their access to comprehensive and compassionate care. At LifeWire, we remain dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive community where all individuals have access to the services they need for a healthier and more fulfilling life.

References:

• HB 1469 – Concerning access to reproductive health care services and gender-affirming treatment in Washington state.
• Title 7 RCW – Sections 1, 2, and 13-17 of HB 1469 will be codified as a new chapter in Title 7.
• RCW 9.02 – Reproductive Privacy Act

BELLEVUE, Washington – At the age of 16, Maddy Brockert was forced to face the harsh reality of how unforgiving and unrelenting domestic violence is. Maddy was living in fear for her mother, who was with a verbally abusive man who continuously berated her. Maddy’s mother stood by him, but eventually, he killed her. “My mom was dead. I would never see her again. I would never hear her tell me she loved me or promise me that everything would be okay. My world was forever changed.”

Maddy had to accept that it was too late to help her mom, but she saw that she could help others by telling her story. She has made it her mission to speak out and do all she can to prevent it from happening to someone else.

“It’s true,” says Maddy Brockert. “I am a survivor of domestic violence. At 16 years old, I turned to LifeWire to learn all there was about domestic violence. I know that prevention is the key to keeping our community safe from violence. We have to speak out to educate our community. I’m asking you to join me.”

According to the Centers of Disease Control and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men report experiencing severe violence from their partners in their lifetimes. Intimate Partner Violence – What Is It and What Does It Look Like? | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA

In 2020, domestic violence crimes comprised 49.7% of all crimes that occurred against a person in Washington state. Washington State Domestic Violence Statistics (treyzlaw.com)

Domestic violence is one of the primary causes of homelessness for women and their children in the United States. Transitional Housing Programs and Empowering Survivors of Domestic Violence | OVW | Department of Justice

Maddy will speak on May 25, 2023, at LifeWire’s Hope Starts Here Lunch, the organization’s annual fundraiser at Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE 6th Street in Bellevue, Washington. KOMO 4 News Anchor Ryan Simms is serving as Emcee. 100% of the funds raised will provide life-saving programs and supportive services for survivors in need. This is your opportunity to meet LifeWire’s Leadership Team and learn about the amazing work that LifeWire is doing in the community. 

The program will include the presentation of LifeWire’s Community Partner of the Year Award to Beacon Development Group. LifeWire completed a Capital Campaign in 2022 and purchased a 25-unit apartment complex.  Beacon Development Group has been a strong partner for LifeWire throughout the remodel of the Hope Starts Here apartments and construction of a new Services Building. This project will provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, and comprehensive on-site services for domestic violence survivors facing the greatest safety risks and highest barriers to safe housing in our community. Thanks to this team, LifeWire will be able to help more survivors and children year after year find safety and stability and begin healing from the devastating effects of abuse. Together we are making our community a better place—one where every person lives in a safe environment and has the opportunity to thrive. To register for the Hope Starts Here Lunch, please visit www.lifewire.org. A suggested donation of $150 is encouraged, and all proceeds will benefit LifeWire programs and services. For more information about the event and to register, please visit www.lifewire.org  or contact Sukai Gaye, LifeWire’s Communications and Events Manager, at sukaig@lifewire.org or call 425-229-5305.