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The change framework
for Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together is that there must
first be awareness and acknowledge gender is a powerful force in
shaping the lives of the entire community. By focusing on
understanding ourselves, our families, our culture, and our
community, we can begin to start the systemic change necessary to
improve the lives of Hmong women and girls. By addressing and
creating knowledge through research and providing leadership and
advocacy, others can help us create social change. By starting with
a shared vision of a better world for Hmong women and girls,
coalitions for change can occur to inspire, leverage, and ensure a
more equity for women and girls. The change framework is linked to
the belief that we have the power as a community to create and
strengthen the Hmong community.
In the community action planning process that led to the
development of HWAT over nine years ago, the following were
identified as factors that contribute to sexism and subsequent
violence against women and girls in the Hmong community:
- Treating sons and daughters differently;
- Not valuing educated wives and women and their
contributions;
- Valuing marriage above physical and emotional safety in an
abusive relationship;
- Valuing many children above the reproductive health or
rights of women;
- Believing that males are born with more power than females,
and;
- Supporting marriage structures that set the stage for
violence
These root causes are addressed with various projects that have
changed from year to year.
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