Students may have happened to be walking throughout Malcom X Plaza, on Tuesday wondering what all the commotion was about.
On September 25, a significant day occurred, not only at San Francisco State University, but for women everywhere. SFSU’s very own student organizations came together in Malcom X Plaze to educate other students about National Women’s Health and Fitness day. The whole event setup was impressive and brought in tons of students with games, brochures, information desks, incredible students and a remarkable DJ.
Organizations and people that came out to inform students about women’s health included the sexual and nutritional P.E.A.C.H’s, (peer educators advocating campus health) San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the cure, (Breast Cancer Awareness) C.E.A.S.E, (creating empowerment through alcohol and substance-abuse education) The Safe Place, (sexual abuse free environment) and the Student Health advisory Committee.
The Nutritional P.E.A.C.H’s were there to offer very valuable health information on nutrition and the sexual P.E.A.C.H program had a spin wheel and breast cancer awareness board where students had the chance to learn about foreplay, sexual health, and pick a breast from the board to learn about facts regarding breast cancer. They brought a variety of information involving all of these categories including things such as birth control options as well.
Marc Wheeler, one of the male sexual P.E.A.C.H’s, spoke up about the event and said, “A lot of people participated and gave their full attention; people were walking away with information they haven’t learned before until now.”
The student health advisory committee from the student health services on campus had a lot of brochures set out to offer students information that many students don’t know about, even though part of SFSU student’s tuition goes toward student health.
Everyone has something to gain from informing themselves about health. C.E.A.S.E provided information on
substance abuse prevention.
Kristina Gonzalez said, “We don’t want to tell them no, we just want to aware them about what they are doing and how it affects them.”
C.E.A.S.E. was out there to show students what certain substances are and how they affect their bodies and lives. They offer counseling and other recourses as well in student services, room 205, which is available to anyone.
The S.A.F.E. Place was there as well to raise awareness about all types of violence against women, so that it may be prevented and stopped. Certain events that are coming up are the Walk in Her Heels on October 24 and the Clothesline project, which is October 24th as well.
Both have many resources to keep women and men safe from rape, violence, and sexual harassment. They have valuable information on where to call or ask for help in any type of situation; including recovery from trauma, suicide prevention, counseling, or psychological services. They are in room 205, the same as C.E.A.S.E.
There are many valuable resources on campus working toward women’s health and safety, it is ok to ask for help and encouraged. Services are there to help, not to embarrass or make anyone feel ashamed.
Photo: P.E.A.C.H. girls Jiran Sayadi and Jasmeen Banwait working the booth and giving away free prizes.
Photo by: Hassina Obaidy