I am a resident of Ohio, and every day, I see homeless women out in the cold. Over half of these women are homeless due to gender-based violence and discrimination. This is not just a statistic; it is a harsh reality that we witness daily on our streets.

In the United States, 1 in 4 women will experience severe intimate partner physical violence, and this often leads to homelessness (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence). In Ohio alone, an estimated 14% of adults have experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives (Ohio Domestic Violence Network). These numbers are alarming and highlight the urgent need for safe spaces like women's shelters.

However, many shelters struggle with inadequate funding. They lack resources to provide comprehensive services such as counseling, job training programs or even basic necessities like beds or food. This leaves many vulnerable women without any support or safety net.

We call upon our government officials to mandate sufficient funding for women’s shelters across Ohio. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these essential services are available to those who need them most. We urge you not only as constituents but also as concerned citizens who believe in human rights and dignity for all.

Please sign this petition if you agree that no woman should be left out on the streets because she has nowhere else to go. Together we can make a difference!