WASHINGTON - Marylandian -- As a part of AFOP's National Farmworker Training Program (NFTP), AFOP and many farmworker advocate organizations will be celebrating the NATIONAL FARMWORKER WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK (NFWHW) during the week of May 9-15, 2021.  This is a week of action aimed at increasing public consciousness and understanding the health risks farmworker women face, and as an extension, their families from working in the fields.

The purpose of celebrating NFWHW, is to raise awareness about the amazing contributions farmworker women have made to society while facing daily challenges due to inequities in access to health, wage, education, and more. Raise awareness and provide education on the devastating health effects that farmworker women face due to pesticide exposure, especially during pregnancy. Exposure to pesticides during pregnancy may lead to miscarriages, preterm births, low birth weight, birth defects, and learning problems in children.

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During this week of observation and advocacy, we are highlighting the dangers farmworker women and their families face as a result of exposure to pesticide residues. The goal is to create a lasting conversation about the health issues facing farmworker women as well as support for programs and efforts that work to educate and mitigate those health problems, thus improving overall farmworker women's health education via a virtual format.

"Exposure to pesticide residues may lead to devastating health hazards that can be prevented. Through, AFOP's National Farmworker Training Program, we ensure that over 40,000 farmworkers a year receive life-saving tools to prevent a health issue due to pesticide exposure," said Melanie Forti, AFOP's Health and Safety Programs Director.

Raising awareness about the health disparities farmworker women face is just the beginning of our fight for justice.  Everyone can take part by being more conscious when purchasing produce, reaching out to their congressman/woman requesting health justice for farmworkers, supporting programs and organizations that advocate on behalf of farmworker women.

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AFOP Health & Safety Programs strives to empower the farmworker community through health and safety education, resources, and advocacy.  For additional comment or an interview, please contact Melanie Forti, Director of Health & Safety Programs at 202-963-3200 or forti@afop.org. To support our work, you can make a donation by clicking HERE.

The Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs is a non-profit, national federation of 53 non-profit and public agencies that provides training and employment services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers.  AFOP's mission is to improve the quality of life for those workers and their families by promoting self-sufficiency through employment and training opportunities, educational attainment, and health and safety.