Report on the Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: From Tragedy to Advocacy

In August 2016, the murder of Vanessa Marcotte prompted the establishment of the Vanessa T. Marcotte (VTM) Foundation. This report details the foundation’s activities and their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning gender equality, peace, education, and health.

Advancing SDG 5: Gender Equality

The foundation’s core mission is to create a world where women are free from violence and harassment, directly addressing targets within SDG 5.

• Target 5.2: End all forms of violence against all women and girls. The foundation actively works to combat the statistic that “more than 600 women are assaulted each day” by providing tools and education for female empowerment and safety.
• Empowerment Initiatives: The foundation strives to empower women to “live boldly and fearlessly” through programs designed to build strength, joy, and a sense of security.

Promoting SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Following the legal resolution where Angelo Colon-Ortiz pleaded guilty to the murder, the foundation’s work has focused on preventative measures that foster peaceful and just communities, in line with SDG 16.

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence. The foundation’s violence prevention workshops and educational outreach are key strategies in reducing violence against women.
• Building Stronger Communities: By offering programs for boys to prevent future negative behaviors and mentoring for young girls, the foundation contributes to building a culture of respect and non-violence from an early age.

Contributions to SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education)

The VTM Foundation has made significant strides in education and promoting well-being, which are central to SDGs 3 and 4.

Educational Outreach and Impact

1. Hosted over 200 self-defense and violence prevention workshops.
2. Reached over 5,000 individuals through safety education programs.
3. Provided resources such as safety tips for runners and walkers.

Promoting Well-being

• The “VTMday” initiative encourages activities that celebrate life and joy, such as walks in nature and yoga, contributing to physical and mental well-being (Target 3.4).

Fostering SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The foundation exemplifies the collaborative spirit of SDG 17 by leveraging partnerships to maximize its impact and resource mobilization.

• Strategic Partnerships: The foundation has partnered with over 50 schools, colleges, and organizations to deliver its programs.
• Resource Mobilization: Over $1 million has been raised to fund these programs and resources, demonstrating successful fundraising through community engagement.
• Public Engagement: Opportunities for volunteering and joining VTM running teams are offered to raise funds and awareness, encouraging broad participation in achieving the foundation’s goals.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article’s central theme is the violence against Vanessa Marcotte, a woman, and the subsequent efforts of the Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation to empower women and advocate for a world where they are safe. This directly addresses the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article discusses a violent crime (murder) and the foundation’s work in “violence prevention.” This connects to SDG 16’s aim to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, which includes significantly reducing all forms of violence and related death rates.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The foundation’s strategy involves education as a key tool. It provides “safety education programs,” “self-defense and violence prevention workshops,” and mentoring. This aligns with SDG 4, particularly in providing knowledge and skills that promote a culture of peace, non-violence, and gender equality.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article explicitly mentions that the foundation has been “partnering with over 50 schools, colleges and organizations” to achieve its mission. This demonstrates the multi-stakeholder partnership approach that is central to SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

  The article is rooted in the murder of a woman and the foundation’s mission to “advocate for a world where women are safe and free to live boldly and fearlessly.” The statistic cited on the foundation’s website, “More than 600 women are assaulted each day,” directly highlights the problem this target aims to solve.

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

  The story begins with a violent death, and the foundation’s response is to host “violence prevention workshops.” This work is a direct effort to reduce the incidence of violence as called for in this target.

• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

  The foundation’s work extends to preventative measures for the youth, specifically “mentoring young girls and helping boys to fend off future negative behaviors,” which contributes to breaking the cycle of violence from a young age.

• Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including… gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence.

  The foundation’s “safety education programs” and “self-defense and violence prevention workshops” are practical examples of providing education that promotes non-violence and gender equality, directly contributing to this target.

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

  The article states the foundation is “partnering with over 50 schools, colleges and organizations,” which is a clear example of the civil society partnerships this target seeks to foster.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Prevalence of violence against women: The statistic “More than 600 women are assaulted each day” is an indicator of the scale of the problem (related to official indicator 5.2.1). The foundation’s work aims to contribute to the reduction of this number.
• Number of educational and outreach activities: The article provides several quantifiable metrics of the foundation’s work, which serve as direct indicators of progress.
  • “hosting over 200 self-defense and violence prevention workshops”
  • “reaching out to over 5,000 people using its safety education programs”
  • “raising awareness across all 50 states”
• Number of partnerships established: The mention of “partnering with over 50 schools, colleges and organizations” is a specific indicator for measuring progress on Target 17.17.
• Amount of financial resources mobilized: The fact that the foundation “has raised over $1 million” is an indicator of its capacity to resource its programs, which is relevant to Target 17.17.

SDG Analysis Summary

Source: masslive.com