Why We Petition

When major events adversely impact the communities where SMRC works, the organization takes action. We find it our duty to raise awareness of an issue that can or is seriously harming the communities where we are involved, and call upon our membership to take a stand against that issue. In the case of South Africa, when ineffective condoms were recalled, SMRC called young people to voice the need of getting new condoms to that community. In Kenya, in response to post-election violence that has taken over 500 lives and threatened SMRC’s Kenya Water and Sanitation Project, we asked people to petition for peace so we could bring water.

Our voice is only as strong as our numbers. If we have 50,000 people sign an online petition to bring peace to Kenya, we can pass that along to people at the State Department and other governmental and non-governmental organizations and media outlets, and demand intervention. If only a few sign on, we cannot.

Online petitions and actions can appear as futile efforts, meant to help a signatory feel good about taking action, while no tangible change will result. But SMRC does not view them this way. Indeed, if thousands of people voice concern over a single issue, there can be great impact. We ask you to join us in our advocacy campaigns, and share them with your friends and colleagues. The old maxim, “Strength in numbers,” is as true today as it ever has been. Help us to continue to change the world!