Contact: Mona Kafeel – TMWF CEO
469-467-6241 #103
TMWF Statement
August 29, 2024
Plano, Texas – Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation (TMWF) is saddened by the tremendous loss of a young woman. Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a Rice University Student in Houston, became a victim of murder-suicide, losing her life to gun violence at the hands of her intimate partner / boyfriend. In Texas there are over 200 domestic violence homicides every year, according to the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCAV). A leading driver of domestic violence homicides in Texas is firearm access and over 75% of domestic violence homicides in Texas are perpetrated with a firearm. When a gun is in the home, the risk of death increases by 500% in domestic violence abuse incidents. The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it more likely that a woman will be killed.
We are also in deep sorrow on the death of Mariama Bah of Sierra Leon in Columbus, Ohio. Her husband has been charged by homicide with aggravated murder and premeditated aggravated murder in connection with Bah’s death, after police say he waited until the children went to school before he killed his wife with a knife and a hammer at their residence, then called 911. For decades of this challenging journey, many victims are still trapped in life-threatening family violence situations. Domestic violence affects millions of victims each year and has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Family violence often happens behind closed doors, making it hard for people experiencing abuse to reach out for support. TMWF is here to support anyone who may be experiencing family violence.
We mourn those who have lost their lives, celebrate those who have survived, and connect all of us so we can work together to end violence. There’s no excuse for abuse. End the silence now.
To learn more, visit https://tmwf.org/
Mona Kafeel, CEO
Almas Muscatwalla, Board Chair
If you are experiencing Domestic Violence in your home, Call or text our hotline for immediate assistance – 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 972-880-4192.
