March 2019 Newsletter

Celebrating International Women’s Day with the 2019 CanWaCH Awards
On International Women’s Day, a day to recognize women’s achievements and acknowledge the challenges they continue to face in the fight for gender equality, the second annual CanWaCH Awards for Excellence in Global Women and Children’s Health were presented during an afternoon reception at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Partners from across the sector, including government officials, gathered to honour the award winners. Find out more about these inspiring Canadian champions for women and children’s health.

The Deadline for the Canada Pavilion is just a few days away!
CanWaCH and the Women Deliver 2019 Mobilization Canada have secured Steamworks to be the home of the ‘Canada Pavilion’ during the Women Deliver 2019 Conference taking place in Vancouver from June 3-6. This will be the go-to location for events hosted by Canadian organizations. If you are a CanWaCH member or Women Deliver Mobilizer interested in hosting an event, apply now! Please note that due to high demand, we are accelerating the application process. As a result, the deadline has been moved up to Monday, March 18th at 5 pm ET.

Have Your Say! CanWaCH Member and Associates Survey 2019
This year’s 2019 CanWaCH Member Survey is an opportune moment to have your say on how we shape our coming year, including the tools, resources and additional partnership benefits you’d like to see us offer to complement your activities and learning. The survey not only helps to determine if we are on the right track, but the more feedback we receive, the better we can design programming and activities that reflect your needs. In this year’s survey, you can also share your stories, experiences, or feedback from your past year of membership with CanWaCH. Complete the survey here. And don’t forget to share it with your colleagues!

Women Deliver 2019 Mobilization Canada launches the Women’s Economic Empowerment & Equal Opportunity Legacy
Women Deliver 2019 Mobilization Canada launched its final Action Area Legacy – Women’s Economic Empowerment & Equal Opportunity. This legacy was developed in consultation with Mobilizers and represents what the Canadian Mobilization wants to see come out of Canada’s role hosting Women Deliver 2019. The Legacy was launched on International Women’s Day and the Director of Partnerships for the Mobilization, Julie Savard-Shaw, was interviewed about the Legacy on the special International Women’s Day episode of Before the Bell. Watch the full episode here.

More Canada Events Calendar
Introducing the new and improved More Canada Events Calendar! Our vision is that this calendar becomes your “go-to” place for more Canadian events, conferences, activities, campaigns and learning opportunities related to global women and children’s health and international development. We’ve made the calendar more user-friendly so that you can better track and easily submit your own events and activities. Submit your event today!

CSW 63 Coverage from NYC
The sixty-third session of the Commission on the Status of Women is taking place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 11 to 22 March 2019. CanWaCH’s Acting Executive Director, Julia Anderson, was live in NYC for the opening days of CSW. As Canada prepares to welcome the world to Women Deliver in Vancouver this June, CanWaCH looks forward to connecting with our global partners at CSW as we collectively work, along with the Women Deliver 2019 Mobilization Canada, in advancing towards gender equality. Check out our website for coverage from the first few days of CSW 63.

It’s Lead On Canada Calling!
Lead On Canada continues its pursuit to make Canadians aware – and proud – of the great work and achievements by our members. Now, we are going ‘old school’ and calling you, our members, to find out about your exciting initiatives and how the Lead on Canada campaign can help amplify your engagement efforts. So, if your phone rings and a strange number pops up, it may be us calling! Have something you want to share right away? Please email our Public Engagement Officer, Emily Kocsis, and let’s chat!

Mapping Gender Equality
Widespread gender inequality is a major barrier to women and girls achieving their right to health. At CanWaCH, we know that access to quality healthcare is essential for them to thrive. That’s why our members are eager to exchange knowledge and expand their gender equality capacity. Learn more in our recent gender equality report.

Key Performance Indicators in SRHR
On February 27th, CanWaCH was pleased to facilitate an online discussion with Global Affairs Canada on the newly launched Key Performance Indicators in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. To encourage ongoing dialogue about these important measurement tools, CanWaCH is compiling feedback from the sector, to share with Global Affairs Canada. If you are interested in contributing to this conversation or would like to review the questions and answers emerging from the discussion, please complete this form.

Join the End FGM Canada Network
The newly-formed End FGM Canada Network aims to bring individuals and organizations to work together on ending female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C). The Network will share information, exchange promising practices, amplify our efforts and voices, and work together to urge the Canadian government to take effective action. Contact the End FGM Canada Network to learn more!

Take Action: Call on Canada to Support the Thrive Agenda!
On March 4th, Global Citizen and CanWaCH launched a call to action for Canadians and partners around the world to express their support for the Thrive Agenda. Canada is among the world’s leading champions for women, adolescent and children’s health and rights but our current commitment will end in 2020. As we prepare to welcome the world to Women Deliver in June, now is the time to press Canadian leaders to act. Join us – ask Canada to increase funding for the health and rights of women and children here.