Maternal mortality, gender-based violence, sex trafficking and forced prostitution are some of the issues facing women and girls worldwide. These issues prompt questions:
- How can we turn oppression into opportunity for these women?
- How do we educate women and girls or provide opportunities for economic empowerment?
- Do these issues affect the male population as well?
- What should Loma Linda University students, staff and faculty know as we prepare health professionals to serve nationally and internationally?
- How do we raise awareness to the challenges that face women and children?
These questions will be addressed after a screening of "Half the Sky," a documentary film shot in 10 countries around the world. The film, "inspired by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book, … introduces women and girls who are living under some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable--and fighting bravely to change them."
Part one of this two-part film will be shown Monday, Dec. 3, through Wednesday, Dec. 5, at noon in the Councilors Student Pavilion conference room. Part two will be shown Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. in the Councilors Student Pavilion.
The latter screening will be followed by a panel discussion and a call to action, where attendees will be provided with opportunities to get involved through a variety of organizations.
Discussion panel participants will include Barbara Hernandez, Ph.D., director of physician vitality, Loma Linda University School of Medicine; Lesford Duncan, M.P.H., Los Angeles County coordinator for California Against Slavery (CAS); Dilys A Brooks, M.Div., M.S., M.A., associate chaplain; and others.
The Loma Linda University campus chaplains, the Loma Linda University School of Public Health, the Loma Linda University School of Behavioral Health, the Domestic Violence Task Force and The Human Trafficking Task Force sponsor this event.
This is the first of a series of events by the Loma Linda campus chaplains providing opportunities for students and employees to participate in local, national and international service.