On October 15, 2002, the National Association of Attorneys
General hosted a panel on domestic violence against women.
Four women representing four different religious traditions
spoke about domestic violence in their communities.
The four speakers were: Anuradha Sharma, the Executive
Director of the Asian Women's Self Help Association (ASHA),
which provides support and advocacy to South Asian Women
in crisis in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. Anuradha
discussed domestic violence in the Hindu community. Nechama
Masliansky, the Director for Jewish Women International,
Kathleen T. Kenney, the Associate Director of the Office
of Justice and Peace at the Catholic Diocese of Richmond,
and Dr.Azizah Y. al-Hibri, similarly addressed conditions
within their own communities and the steps their organizations
have taken to address the problem.
Furthermore each of the women illustrated how their religion
is used to inaccurately justify violence in their communities,
and how they believe their respective religions can actually
be used as a communicative devise in combating such violence.
The panel was concluded by questions from the audience.
