Pregnancy, it's more complex than we thought....

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Created: Wednesday, 24 January 2018 16:52

Last Updated: Friday, 27 September 2019 15:28

You stand in the check out line at the grocery store unconsciously rocking a can of tomato juice with the same tenderness you rocked your infant children. It is an occupational hazard; you automatically cuddle, hum to and rock anything larger than an egg. The sound of the word Mother sends your head re-actively twirling,whenever you hear any small voice call, regardless of the fact that it has been forty plus years since you heard your youngest call Mommy with the same desperation. The biological wiring whether used or not, remains in place.  Still you respond.  

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Why Medicine Often has Dangerous Side Effects for Women

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Created: Saturday, 17 October 2015 13:58

Last Updated: Tuesday, 21 May 2019 17:54

Surprising but true: Many of the medicines we all take -- common treatments like Ambien and everyday aspirin -- were only ever tested on men. And the unknown side effects for women can be dangerous, even deadly. Alyson McGregor studies the differences between male and female patients' bodies; in this fascinating talk she explains how the male patient became a blank slate for medical research ... and what all of us, women and men, need to ask our doctors to get the right care.

 See her TED Talk.

The Women's Court Initiative

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Created: Tuesday, 23 June 2015 23:53

Last Updated: Tuesday, 21 May 2019 17:54

Over the course of the past few years there have been some very exciting developments for women in the Balkans and as such, for women everywhere. The Women in Black led the Women's Court Initiative to support women in redefining and achieving justice for their war experiences and creating testimony of some of the women. There was a great deal of effort in creating services leading up to the testimony as this is a very dangerous thing for the women to do and the women needed a great deal of preparation and protection. Without protection their lives were in danger. This was begun by providing leadership development trainings in 7 countries to prepare 45 women witnesses and prosecutors  to testify about their experiences during and after the war. The women were also provided Self Care for the severe symptoms they still suffer from the rape and torture.  In 2011 alone about 200 women's groups organized over 100 events mobilizing 2,000 women participants in cities throughout the Balkans -- the goal being to raise awareness of the Women's Court. 

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How Colombians Wage Peace

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Created: Thursday, 23 October 2014 11:54

Last Updated: Tuesday, 21 May 2019 17:55

Peace Building with stories, trees, and Christmas tree lights.  "Being generous makes us stronger."

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"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." (Rabindranath Tagore)

Toxic stress epidemic in inner cities, prisons, jails and juvenile justice facilities

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Created: Monday, 03 February 2014 15:38

Last Updated: Sunday, 15 September 2019 18:14

I was sent this article by a friend who knows how hard we have been pushing for the recognition of existing toxic stress in epidemic proportions.  Finally!  

Ashlar Associate, Taiwo Lateef Sheikh Honored

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Created: Sunday, 01 April 2018 20:19

Last Updated: Thursday, 13 August 2020 16:48

My Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I present to you the Merit Award (for excellence in promotion of human and healthcare development in Nigeria) bestowed on me by Sir Ahmadu Bello (Sardauna) Memorial Foundation, and presented by the Chairman, Justice Mamman Nasir, former Chief Justice of Nigeria. Today, it is the most prestigious merit award in Northern Nigeria, the Foundation is supported by the nineteen (19) Northern Governors and the friends and family of the Late Sardauna of Sokoto. I wish to humbly express my deep appreciation for your congratulatory messages and kind words. This award is for psychiatry and I believe that it will lead to a better understanding of the role of the Psychiatrist in our National development and as well mitigate stigma. I thank all those who worked and supported me to make our collective efforts visible and those who challenged me and made the good in me to manifest.

Women, War and What they fed the children.

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Created: Sunday, 20 October 2013 12:30

Last Updated: Tuesday, 21 May 2019 17:55

"There is no greater burden that carrying an untold story."      Maya Angelou                            

Eighty percent of the world’s refugees and internally displaced people are women and children. 

In order to humanize these statistics, we are gathering stories of women and children from around the world who have experienced war or live in war impacted areas.   In this project, we are not looking at politics or perpetrators, we are simply sharing stories of experience. And, we help where we can to resolve symptoms of toxic stress as well as offering resources toward re-mediating other problems. our goals are publicizing stories and building resilience and sustainability of gains made by our story tellers by engaging in our program.  

Click here for the project website