Saving Limbs, Saving Lives: Women and Green Spaces

CAMPAIGN THREE: Saving Limbs, Saving Lives: Women and Green Spaces

Introduction

Dr. Williams and Dr. Kuo’s groundbreaking research in Illinois proved that urban green spaces increase self-esteem and decision making for girls and reduced domestic violence which tears apart families. As Seattle’s population sky rockets, we defoliate our neighborhood spaces in favor of urban density. The absence of green space may put women’s lives at a greater risk. Learn what you can do to protect our social and natural Eco-systems.

The Problems

Informal green spaces on private property and poorly maintained parks spaces are threatened by development and poorly thought out urban density models that displace low-income residents.

Domestic violence which includes violence against children and youth by their parents or anyone else they live with disrupts families and devastates lives.

The primary cause of homelessness for women and children is fleeing from domestic violence situations.

Green spaces are often under valued and uncared for in low-income communities and replaced by formal structured play areas such as basketball courts and jungle gyms.

Females without access to green space are not able to benefit from the increase in self-esteem, decision making and reduced DV towards their children that has been proven to occur in the low-income housing of Chicago.

Other missed benefits include reduced ADHD symptoms and stress relief.

“Story of the Fun Blessing on the Road to Darjeeling, India (Orange, black, and white butterflies, are butterflies drawn to healers? grasses, thistles, North of Ft. Bragg, California, USA)” by Wonderlane is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Solutions

Build communities and housing that retain non-deciduous urban forests in centralized courtyards.

Create alliances between DV organizations, City Parks and the National Wildlife Federation to increase their Backyard Wildlife Habitat program for people’s sake.

Conduct public education in local urban parks and trailheads that raise awareness about DV and what people can do to stay safe. Other missed benefits include reduced ADHD symptoms and stress relief.

The Action Campaign

Raise awareness about the emotional, social, health and economic value of green spaces around our homes.

Create a safe park and trails outreach to educate women about domestic violence and what to do to stay safe.

Volunteer your expertise to help create the media campaign, compile research materials, make a You Tube video, design a web site, make stickers, and raise money. Be Part of the Solution.