Contact: Evita Almassi, ealmassi@nwhn.org or (202) 682-6240

This past Tuesday evening eight people at three Atlanta area spas were killed and another was injured. Of the eight people killed, six were Asian women.

This is nothing short of horrifying. We at the National Women’s Health Network are deeply concerned for the safety of our community members across the country as violence toward Asian Americans has escalated over the past year. We have said before and we will say it again. Health justice demands racial justice. 

We cannot ignore the fact that anti-Asian hate and violence disproportionately impacts women. 

Women’s health will never be fully realized until the inherent dignity of all people, including Asian American and Pacific Islanders and other people of color, is respected. 

Racism is a public health issue. Gun violence is a public health issue. Misogyny is a public health issue. 

We are speaking out in solidarity with Asian American women subject to racist violence. More than 68 percent of reported incidents of anti-Asian harassment and violence have involved women as targets

This must stop. We cannot be silent for silence is complicity. Elected officials in Georgia must support the families victimized by this horrifying violence. We all have a part to play and must speak out immediately against hate and violence directed at the Asian American community. 

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The National Women’s Health Network is supported by our members and by choice we do not accept financial support from drug companies or medical device manufacturers. We bring the voices, concerns, and needs of women consumers to policy and regulatory tables.