Kaptur Announces $350,000 Federal Award to Justice for Migrant Women in Fremont, OhioPress ReleaseJobs and the Economy

Fremont, Ohio - Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced that Justice for Migrant Women, an organization based in Fremont, Ohio, has been awarded a $350,000 award from the US Department of Labor. This funding, part of the Fostering Access, Rights, and Equity (FARE) program, will be used to combat gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace, with a focus on supporting underserved and marginalized women workers.

"Our workplaces should be safe havens where all individuals, regardless of their background, feel respected and protected," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). "The partnership that Justice for Migrant Women has formed with the agricultural community in rural Ohio is a catalyst for change, moving us closer to a future where seasonal workers, especially women, can work with dignity, free from fear and harassment. With this award, we are helping organizations like Justice for Migrant Women to safeguard the rights of those most vulnerable and sending a powerful message that no one should ever have to choose between earning a living and their personal safety."

"Migrant and rural women who are working in industries, like agriculture, domestic work, hospitality, and other industries face high rates of sexual harassment, but they do not often know their rights and the organizations or agencies available to support them," said Mónica Ramírez, Founder and President of Justice for Migrant Women. "Justice for Migrant Women is proud to serve these incredible women who are contributors to our economy and country. We understand how critical it is to have trusted individuals sharing information about their rights and the resources available to them. The FARE Grant will make it possible for us to reach more women to educate them about their rights to work free from sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence. They should be free from sexual violence in the workplace and everywhere."

"The Biden-Harris administration is changing lives by creating, growing and supporting good jobs, where workers are safe, respected and treated fairly. We can only do that by eliminating gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work. The Fostering Access, Rights and Equity grants announced today represent an important investment toward that goal," said Acting Secretary Julie Su. "The FARE Grant program helps women workers to know their rights, create tools to prevent and address gender-based violence and harassment, and by so doing, empower workers and advance gender equity."

The FARE award program, administered by the Women's Bureau and the Employment and Training Administration, is designed to help organizations like Justice for Migrant Women implement strategies to prevent workplace violence and harassment and to work with employers to support initiatives that raise awareness, provide education, and connect women workers with essential services and legal assistance.

The grants announced today will have wide-reaching impact by supporting programs that - while based in California, Massachusetts and Ohio - will serve workers across the country, with additional support in states such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina and Oregon.

"Workplace safety is more than preventing hazards such as falls, fires or chemical exposure; it also means freedom from gender-based violence and harassment," explained Women's Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon. "The Biden-Harris administration has been a champion for ending gender-based violence, releasing the first-ever U.S. National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, a roadmap for a whole-of-government effort to prevent and address gender-based violence in the U.S., including at work. The Women's Bureau is committed to continuing the effort to eliminate gender-based violence in the world of work through the FARE grants."

Justice for Migrant Women will use the FARE funding to:

• Disseminate educational materials focused on worker and survivor safety.
• Develop and implement prevention strategies tailored to the needs of migrant and immigrant women workers.
• Connect women with legal assistance and other critical support services.
• Promote leadership and advocacy among women workers to address gender-based violence in their communities.

This award is part of a broader effort to create safer, more equitable workplaces and advance gender equity nationwide.

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