Because each month of the year has been designated to commemorate a
host of issues, it is easy to overlook how important so many of those
issues really are. This month alone is National Domestic Violence
Awareness Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and National
Work and Family Month. It should be noted that the common thread among
those causes are the safety and well being of our country’s women, who
are rapidly on the road to full equality, but still face some
obstacles. Women are major cogs in our workforce, and their
productivity and vitality affect families, businesses and the entire
economy.
A problem that is highly prevalent, but remains largely unnoticed, is
domestic violence. Although advocacy organizations work to spread
awareness year round, October is the month to step up the effort. This
month, domestic violence victims advocates join with government
officials, corporations, unions, health care providers, religious
organizations and many other groups to promote not just awareness, but
vigilance. In West Virginia, many state agencies are involved,
including the Attorney General’s Office, which is running public
service television and radio commercials.
As noted in a presidential proclamation, nearly one-third of American
women who are murdered each year are killed by their current or former
partners, usually a husband. Another 1 million women annually report
being stalked. Legacies of violence are often spurred by the many
children who suffer or witness abuse in their homes.
President Bush notes says in his proclamation that this month the
federal government issued the U.S. Postal Service Stop Family Violence
postage stamp, which will raise money to support the national fight
against domestic violence. “On behalf of families and communities
across America, I call on all citizens to help raise public awareness
about how to prevent, recognize, and
stop domestic violence,” the President states. “I applaud the
commitment of all those who are helping to improve the lives of
domestic violence survivors and their families. Working together, we
can continue to find better solutions to this national problem.”
Another essential issue affecting the health and well being of women
and families is the prevalence of breast cancer. In the United States,
it is estimated there will be 211,300 new cases of breast cancer
diagnosed this year and 39,800 deaths. In West Virginia, it is
predicted there will be 1,600 new cases and 300 deaths. Those are
disturbing statistics.
Leaders of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month effort are
promoting the American Cancer Society “Tell A Friend” campaign, which
involves volunteers calling five friends to encourage them to get a
mammogram. Part of the success of this strategy is that the volunteers
are calling people who have common interests and will therefore better
listen to such urging. For more information on the program, contact the
American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345.
This month is also National Work and Family Month. Congress has adopted
a resolution in support of the designation and of families’ desire to
balance work and personal lives. In order to ensure worker
productivity, employers must be cognizant of workers’ job satisfaction,
and there is a clear link between work-family policies and job
satisfaction. If employees are able to strike a fair balance between
their work and private lives, they are less likely to be absent from
work, are more dedicated to their employers and more likely to retain
their jobs in the long term.
Likewise, employees who are overworked and unsatisfied are far less
productive, and the ensuing dissatisfaction can lead to problems in
relationships with family members.
According to the Senate resolution, 85 percent of U.S. wage and
salaried workers have immediate, day-to-day family responsibilities off
the job, while 46 percent of wage and salaried workers are parents with
children under the age of 18 who live with them at least half of the
time.
In addition, because of our country’s growing elderly population, more
and more workers are also caring for older parents. “Reducing the
conflict between work and family life should be a national priority,”
the resolution states.
All three of these issues should be a national priority, and a priority
here in West Virginia. State and local lawmakers should spend every
available dollar to increase awareness among residents, employers and
public officials, but it is also the job of every person to promote
healthy and productive lifestyles within his or her own community.
I welcome and appreciate your input on these issues, or any other
legislative matter. Please call me at (304)340-3106 or write to
Delegate Virginia Mahan, 215-E, Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305.