CanWaCH

In this Together Launch
2020-12-08 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto)
The Together Project believes that back to normal is not an option and that together, Canada, alongside other global actors, can create forward solutions for a better Canada and a better world.
This event marks the launch of a series of cases, which show that we have the tools, evidence, and resources we need to contribute to a more prosperous, healthy, and stable world. With Canadian leadership and will, our country could make a real global difference. And when Canada invests in solving global issues, we all benefit.
We are all in this together.
Join our esteemed panelists to hear different perspectives on the role that Canada should play in the world.
French Event : 12:00noon-1:00pm (ET)
English Event: 2:00pm-3:00pm (ET)
REGISTER HERE

Lives in the Balance: Achieving Universal Health Coverage and leaving no one behind in a COVID-19 world
2020-12-08 08:00 - 11:00
Building on the success of Lives in the Balance: A COVID-19 Summit for the Health and Well-Being of Women, Children and Adolescents (1-2 July 2020), PMNCH, CORE Group and UHC2030 will reconvene partners across the globe for a virtual summit to take stock of how COVID-19 is impacting the progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) commitments. Following Lives in the Balance in July, this exciting and interactive event will:

Provide a space to reflect on progress and challenges and share best practices;
Identify ways to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration;
Mobilize meaningful action to protect the progress on UHC and women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health.

The event will provide an opportunity to launch both the inaugural State of UHC Commitment, which aims to provide a multi-stakeholder consolidated view on the state of progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and the political commitments to PMNCH’s key COVID-19 Call to Action asks announced in July.
The summit takes place one day before the UHC Day on 12 December, which every year marks the anniversary of the first unanimous UN resolution calling for all nations to provide affordable, quality healthcare for all of their citizens. This year, UHC advocates will demand action on universal health coverage, which is critical for our lives, our livelihoods and our future.
More on speakers and agenda soon!
REGISTER HERE

The 50th Anniversary of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women Report
2020-12-07 15:00 - 16:30
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell Lieutenant Governor of Ontario invites you to join her for an important dialogue on the afternoon of Monday, December 7, 2020 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada report and ensuring the unfinished business of equality of women and girls.
Moderator:

Lisa Laflamme, OC, OOnt Ms. Laflamme is a Canadian television journalist, and currently the chief anchor and senior editor of CTV National News. She is trailblazer for women in Canadian news broadcasting, covering some of the biggest stories of the times.
Panelists:
The Honourable Monique Bégin, PC, OC, FRSC Dr. Monique Bégin was executive secretary for the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada. She was declared the first woman from Quebec to be elected to the House of Commons, followed by Jeanne Sauvé and Albanie Morin and held the first Joint Chair in Women’s Studies at Carlton and the University of Ottawa.
Ms. Maureen O’Neil, OC Ms.O’Neil is the former President of the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, was President of the International Development Research Centre, lead Status of Women Canada and represented Canada on the UN Commission on the Status Women.
Ms. Lorna Marsden, CM, OOnt Canadian sociologist, academic, and former politician Ms. Marsden is the former President and Vice-Chancellor of both Wilfrid Laurier University and York University, she is also a former senator.
The Honourable Jean Augustine, PC, CM, OOnt, CBE Jean Augustine was the first Black Canadian woman elected to the Parliament of Canada and served three terms as Chair of the National Liberal Women’s Caucus. Ms. Augustine has contributed to Canada’s official multiculturalism policy, and in 2008 the Jean Augustine Chair in Education was established at York University.
Roberta L. Jamieson, OC Roberta Jamieson is Mohawk and current president and CEO of Indspire. She was the first First Nation woman in Canada to earn a law degree; the first woman Ombudsman of Ontario; and the first woman elected Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
REGISTER HERE

50 Years of the Status of Women Report: Looking Back to Move Forward
2020-12-07 10:30 - 12:30
Join the Department of Women and Gender Equality Canada (WaGE) and the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) as we mark the 50th Anniversary of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women and chart the path forward for the next 50 years.
In 1967 the Royal Commission on the Status of Women was mandated “to inquire into and report upon the status of women in Canada, and to recommend what steps might be taken by the Federal Government to ensure for women equal opportunities with men in all aspects of Canadian society.” Following consultations with women from coast-to-coast-to-coast, the release of the report in 1970 marked a milestone in the Canadian feminist movement.
This intergenerational event will take stock of the past 50 years, celebrating the progress of trailblazers and changemakers while acknowledging the challenges faced, and then look to the future as we collectively imagine what it will take to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women in the next 50 years.
This virtual gathering will be presented in English and French with simultaneous translation offered through Interactio. We recommend downloading the app Interactio! You can also listen through your computer browser by going to app.interactio.io. Enter the event token canwach20, plug in your headphones, and select the language of your choice.
REGISTER HERE
Speakers
The Past 50 Years: Featuring trailblazing women who overcame roadblocks, influenced policy and fought for the empowerment of all women
Hazel McCallion
Hazel McCallion is a Canadian politician and businesswoman who served as the third mayor of Mississauga, Ontario, from 1978 until 2014. She is the longest serving City mayor in Canada and has kept the city debt-free since her first term of office. She is the first and current Chancellor of Sheridan College. In 1991 she became the first mayor to submit their city’s budget to public participation. McCallion, long a champion of health care, led the drive to build Trillium Health Partners’ (THP) Credit Valley Hospital site in 1976. She was a successful candidate in 12 municipal elections, having been acclaimed twice and re-elected 10 other times. Her supporters gave her the nickname “Hurricane Hazel” because of her outspoken political style. She is a member of the Order of Canada.
Lynn Zimmer
Lynn Zimmer recently retired from her 35-year position as Executive Director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, a multi-service women’s equality-seeking organization that provides a continuum of services for women and children who have experienced poverty and abuse. In 1973 she was one of the founders of Interval House, Toronto, Canada’s first shelter for women fleeing domestic abuse. She is a member of the federal Advisory Council on the Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, and is a Mentor with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. Zimmer was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (2019) for her contributions to protecting victims of violence and for her advocacy for women’s rights.
Roberta L. Jamieson
O.C., I.P.C., LL.B., LL.D. (Hon)
Roberta Jamieson has been described as a “constructive disrupter of the status quo.” Prime Minister Trudeau appointed her to the inaugural Gender Equality Advisory Council of the G7, to embed gender equality in decisions made by the world’s seven most advanced economies. Roberta was most recently President and CEO of Indspire, Canada’s largest Indigenous charity, which funds the education of Indigenous post-secondary students and informs Canadians about Indigenous achievements. During her time there, Indspire distributed $132 million in bursaries and scholarships to Indigenous students across Canada. Roberta Jamieson also accomplished a number of firsts in the fight for gender equality. She was Canada’s first First Nations woman to earn a law degree, the first female Ombudsman in Ontario and the first woman to be Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She has been awarded 27 honourary degrees and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

The Honourable Audrey McLaughlin
Audrey McLaughlin was the Federal Member of Parliament for the Yukon from 1987 to 1997. She served as Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada from 1989-1995, the first woman elected to lead a federal party in Canada. In 2004, she received the Order of Canada. In addition to the publication of numerous articles, her book “ A Woman’s Place, My Life and Politics” was published in 1992. From 1996-1999, she was President of Socialist International Women and, as President, worked on all continents with women from member parties. She was also a Vice President of Socialist International and a member of the Global Progress Commission from 1989-1999. International involvement included teaching in Ghana, West Africa from 1964-1967 and volunteering with a women’s organization in Barbados developing micro economic projects in Barbados, West Indies in 1986. Ms. McLaughlin worked as program director in Morocco and as Director of programs in Bahrain for the National Democratic Institute.
Marion Buller
Marion Buller is a member of the Mistawasis Nehiyawak, a Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan. She started her legal career as a lawyer, practicing in criminal, administrative and human rights law. She was the Commission Counsel for the Cariboo-Chilcotin Justice Inquiry. She was Director and President of the Indigenous Bar Association. Ms. Buller was the first Indigenous woman appointed as a Provincial Court Judge in BC. She founded the First Nations Court and provided the foundation for the Indigenous Family Court. These are courts that consider the special circumstances of Indigenous people. Ms. Buller was appointed as the Chief Commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This was a precedent-setting and truly national inquiry. The National Inquiry’s strongly-worded Final Report and Calls for Justice have attracted both national and international attention.
Dr. Roberta Bondar
The world’s first neurologist in space, Dr. Roberta Bondar is globally recognized for her pioneering contributions to space medicine research, fine art photography and environment education. For over a decade after her spaceflight, she headed an international research team working with NASA on neurological symptoms seen after spaceflight, and their connections to neurological diseases on Earth. She is the author of four best selling books featuring her writing and photography. Dr. Bondar’s distinctions are: Companion of the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, the NASA Space Medal, induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and into the International Women’s Forum’s Hall of Fame, 28 honorary doctorates from Canadian and American Universities, Chancellor of Trent University 2003-2009, six Canadian schools in her name, a Specially Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, an Honorary Fellow and Honorary Vice-president of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and her own star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
The Honourable Jean Augustine
Jean Augustine made history as the first Black Woman elected to Canada’s Parliament and served from 1993-2006. Her legislative successes include the historic Black History Month Motion; and the ground-breaking Famous Five Motion, which authorized the first and still the only statues on Parliament Hill depicting women – other than Queen Elizabeth. From 2007 to 2015, she served as Ontario’s first-ever Fairness Commissioner. In 2008, the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora was launched at York University to help advance education, equity and inclusiveness. Also in her name are a Girls’ Leadership Academy in Scarborough; a Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment and a municipal park in Etobicoke; a Secondary School in Brampton, and a multi-purpose complex and district park in Vaughan. A member of the Order of Canada and Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Jean Augustine holds honourary doctorates from the universities of McGill, Toronto, York, Windsor, Waterloo, Guelph, and Trent.
Bonnie Brayton
A recognized leader in both the feminist and disability movements, Bonnie Brayton has been the National Executive Director of the DisAbled Women’s Network (DAWN) Canada since May 2007. In this role, she has proven herself as a formidable advocate for women with disabilities here in Canada and internationally. During her tenure with DAWN Canada, Ms. Brayton has worked diligently to highlight key issues that impact the lives of women and girls with disabilities. From 2016 to 2019, Ms. Brayton served as a member of Minister’s Advisory Council on Gender-Based Violence (WAGE) and was reappointed to a two year term. Earlier in 2020, Bonnie was appointed by The Honourable Carla Qualtrough to Covid-19 Disability Advisory Group (CDAG) and will continue to serve as part of the DAG. Bonnie was also appointed to be part of Gender and Trade Advisory Group.
Kathleen Wynne
Kathleen Wynne was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 as the MPP for Don Valley West. She was Ontario’s 25th Premier and leader of the Ontario Liberal Party January, 2013 to June 2018. Kathleen has dedicated her professional life to building a better province for the people of Ontario. She is guided by the values and principles that knit this province together: fairness, diversity, collaboration and creativity. Kathleen has served as Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Education and Minister of Agriculture and Food. As the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Kathleen finalized a new funding agreement with the federal government to improve access to affordable housing.
Aditi Sivakumar
Aditi is a medical student and a passionate advocate for gender equality, with a focus on ending gender-based violence. Aditi founded the “My Empowerment (ME) Packs” which are wellness kits containing comprehensive resource booklets for youth facing homelessness and women facing violence. She created “Everyday Essential Express”, a contactless delivery service for domestic violence shelters across the Ottawa-region during the pandemic. She is also creating the “My Empowerment Platform”, a web application for women and girls facing violence in Canada. She was selected by the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Canada to facilitate a lunch regarding gender equality in the workplace with HRH the Countess of Wessex and was invited to speak to HRH Prince William at Kensington Palace about her work. She is a 25×25 She Decides Young Leader, a 2020 Women Deliver Young Leader and was the only Canadian to receive the 2019 Princess Diana Legacy Award.
The Next 50 Years: A youth perspective on current challenges and action for the next five decades
Ishita Aggarwal
Ishita Aggarwal completed an Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto and a Master of Public Health at Western University. She is currently a first-year medical student at Queen’s University. She has a keen interest in health and human rights, gender equality, and social sustainability. In April 2016, Ishita founded MOM’S THE WORD (MTW), a sexual and maternal health community organization. MTW hosts free prenatal workshops for homeless and low-income pregnant women and advises sexual assault and rape victims on available community resources. To date, MTW has provided aid to thousands of marginalized girls and women. For her work, Ishita has been named a Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leader, Top 25 Canadian Immigrant, Queen’s Young Leader, L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth, and Top 25 Women of Influence, among others. In her spare time, Ishita enjoys reading, writing, and exploring her city’s art and food scene.
Mukisa Kakembo
Mukisa is a student at Dalhousie’s Schulich School of Law interested in advancing the protection of human rights and access to justice. She is on the board of directors of the Delmore ‘Buddy’ Daye Learning Institute, and co-chair of their first Black Youth Advisory Council. The council shares their experiences with the local education system to identify systemic barriers and challenges youth face to provide the board with advice on how to better support African Nova Scotian learners. Kakembo was awarded the Pink Larkin Internship in 2019, a summer internship in law for a first-year diversity student. She spent her summer working at the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia, a local non-profit organization that engages with vulnerable women to foster personal empowerment and address the root causes of criminalization. Her goal going into her internship was to learn to advocate for human rights. “As a student in the Indigenous Blacks and Mik’maq Initiative, I want to use my future legal career to work on issues of equality and equity, to meaningfully support my community.”
Kakembo achieved her goal and more. “My internship gave me the opportunity to provide legal support for women in Nova Scotia and advocate for the rights of diverse cis and LGBTQ+ women. I gained experience in the field of prison law, criminal law, civil law and family law. It was a unique opportunity to work with clients and support them through some of the most difficult circumstances of their life. It was an emotional, yet very empowering journey.
Fae Johnstone
Fae Johnstone (they/she) is a Principal Consultant with Wisdom2Action Consulting Ltd. (W2A), based on Algonquin territory (Ottawa, ON). Fae is a sought-after 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and Gender-Based Violence expert, writer and organizer. With W2A, Fae has led local, provincial and national initiatives focused on 2SLGBTQ+ communities, mental health, gender-based violence and other important issues. Fae currently serves on the board of directors of Kind Space and the Ontario Youth Suicide Prevention Leadership Committee. Fae was the 2019 recipient of the LGBT Youth Line Trans Activism award. Last but certainly not least, Fae is known for her deep love of ferrets and her involvement with the Ferret Rescue Society of Ottawa. Find her on Twitter: @FaeJohnstone.
Erika Dupuis
Erika is a practicing registered Social Worker in the greater Toronto area and is a continuing education student at New York University and is a recent graduate of the Master of Social Work program at Ryerson University. Erika is particularly interested in the intersections between food justice, harm reduction, and sexual and reproductive health and autonomy with a youth lens. In all endeavours, Erika strives towards ensuring that policies are accessible to those most affected by their shortcomings by exploring how young people can work together locally and globally to achieve equitable and sustainable outcomes.
Erika currently sits as the Country Coordinator of the Canadian chapter of the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning, an international NGO that works to support and expand upon adolescent and youth sexual health education across the globe. As well, Erika is currently Vice-Chair of the Toronto Youth Food Policy Council and is an alumnus of the Toronto Youth Cabinet. Erika currently sits on the Board of Directors for Charlie’s FreeWheels and the Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
Nikki Fraser
Nikki Fraser is an Indigenous advocate from Kamloops, B.C. Canada. She started Uniting Our Voices, a platform working for and towards inclusion and equality by creating a space for more Indigenous voices to be heard, to build connections, and inspire more changemakers through stories and her engagements. She is involved in Indigenous research and advocacy through a gender-sensitive lens. Nikki is apart of the United Nations Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals for the United Nations Youth Envoy, a student at Thompson Rivers University and was one of Flare Magazine’s 50+ women #HowIMadeit 2019/2020 list.

International Volunteer Day
2020-12-05
The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (5 December), more commonly referred to as International Volunteer Day (IVD), is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985. It offers an opportunity for volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.

Business for Gender Equality 2020
2020-12-02 12:00 - 18:00
Business for Gender Equality 2020 is an interactive virtual forum designed to showcase outstanding action, help break barriers, and fast-forward gender equality progress in the Canadian private sector.
Global Compact Network Canada (GCNC) will be hosting this collective experience to mark the culmination of GCNC’s 3-year project, Gender Equality Leadership in the Canadian Private Sector. Business for Gender Equality: A forum to fast-forward progress in the Canadian private sector is set to take place on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 from 12 pm-6 pm EST and will cover the topics outlined in the Blueprint for Gender Equality and the Maturity Model, a new set of tools created by GCNC in collaboration with the private sector for organizations looking to advance gender equality and improve workplace diversity and inclusion. The forum will also reflect more broadly on the status of gender equality and as well as discuss the ways that COVID-19 is impacting gender equality and workplace inclusion.
Get Your Tickets

Virtual Town Hall: Our Community, Working Together
2020-12-02 12:00 - 13:00
Cuso International is proud of the thousands of Canadian volunteers who’ve committed their time and skills to combat poverty and inequality around the world.
As we approach International Volunteer Day, we want to celebrate you and your contributions to vulnerable communities.
Please join us for a special Virtual Town Hall on December 2nd, where you’ll hear from distinguished guests and alumni on the impact volunteerism has had on global citizenship, public engagement, sustainable and healthier communities.
Karina Gould, the Honourable Minister of International Development will join the conversation.
Language: English
Register

Virtual Town Hall: Our Community, Working Together
2020-12-02 12:00 - 13:00
Cuso International is proud of the thousands of Canadian volunteers who’ve committed their time and skills to combat poverty and inequality around the world.
As we approach International Volunteer Day, we want to celebrate you and your contributions to vulnerable communities.
Please join us for a special Virtual Town Hall on December 2nd, where you’ll hear from distinguished guests and alumni on the impact volunteerism has had on global citizenship, public engagement, sustainable and healthier communities.
Karina Gould, the Honourable Minister of International Development will join the conversation.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
REGISTER HERE

Micro-Learning #2: FIT’s Rapid Gender Scan
2020-12-02 11:30 - 12:30
FIT is hosting a second Micro-Learning session: “FIT’s Rapid Gender Scan” on December 2nd at 10:30 am CST.
This session aims to enhance understanding of how to integrate gender into the testing environment through the use of FIT’s Rapid Gender Scan tool (RGS). The RGS is a gender analysis framework that helps you capture essential information about gender roles and responsibilities, capacities and vulnerabilities. It was designed to be used in situations where time is limited and resources to conduct the work are scarce.
The session will cover:

Gender integration for the testing environment
Introduction to FIT’S Rapid Gender Scan approach and tool
Information about FIT’s other gender equality resources
Breakout room session to practice using the RGS tool

Who should attend?

SMOs applying for or interested in applying for FIT funding
Any organization working in an innovation environment or a rapidly changing environment (e.g. COVID-19).

Register here

World AIDS Day: The Experience Dialogues // Journée mondiale du sida : Les dialogues d'expérience
2020-12-01 13:00 - 14:00
An interactive event focused on creating space for conversations and the exchange of resources, experiences and personal stories. All welcome. // Un événement interactif pour échanger des ressources et des histoires personnelles. Tous sont bienvenus.
Agenda
1. Remarks by: // Avec les remarques de :
• Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada
• Ms. Suki Beavers, Director of Gender Equality, Human Rights and Community Engagement, UNAIDS
• Myles Sexton, CANFAR Ambassador
2. Interactive discussions in breakout rooms // Discussions en petits groupes
• Coming out as HIV positive: “My second coming out” w. Myles Sexton // Annoncer ma séropositivité
• Centering Indigenous experiences in efforts to meet 90-90-90 targets // Centrer les expériences indigènes dans les efforts pour atteindre les objectifs 90-90-90
• Holistic approaches to research // Approches intégrées de la recherche
• U=U Integrating into your life // U=U S’intégrer dans votre vie
• International HIV interventions for adolescent girls and young women // Interventions internationales contre le VIH pour les adolescentes et les jeunes femmes
More information: https://bit.ly/WADoverview
*Please note simultaneous translation in French will be available for general remarks and Q&A, but breakout room discussions will be conducted in English only. // *Veuillez noter qu’une traduction simultanée en français sera disponible pour les remarques et les questions et réponses, mais les discussions en petits groupes se dérouleront uniquement en anglais.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities
2020-12-01
The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992 by United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

World AIDS Day
2020-12-01
World AIDS Day takes place on 1 December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.

Foreign Policy by Canadians: Human Security in an Age of New Global Order
2020-11-26 09:00 - 14:30, 2020-11-25 09:00 - 14:30
Many foreign policy experts acknowledge that the global order is in a state of upheaval. Globalisation and democracy are in decline and great power competition is increasing under the pressures of nationalism, chauvinism, and populism. Realpolitik and national self-interest dominate foreign policy discourse. The COVID-19 pandemic is devastating economies. Demands for gender, racial and financial equality are increasing.
Human Security. This conference is designed to address the growing pressures on human security: threats to state security and democracy that threaten the well-being of populations and communities; violations of human rights that fly in the face of recognised norms; and the effect of gender, racial and financial inequality on civil society and political stability.
Keynote Speakers. The keynote speakers have been selected because of their broad perspective on and experience in international relations, and conflict. They will help us understand the context in which foreign policy is formulated and exercised.
Panels. Driven by expert commentary, the panels are designed to confront the participants with competing and conflicting perspectives. Our goal is to elicit robust audience participation that will challenge preconceived ideas and promote new thinking about Canada’s place in the world.
Day 1 – 25 November
Panel 1: Defending Canada, 9:00 – 10:00 am
Panel 2: Resisting Aggression, Protecting Democracy, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Keynote 1: Chris Alexander, former CPC Cabinet Minister, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Daily Wrap-up, 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Day 2 – 26 November
Panel 3: Responding to Human Rights Abuses: Preventing a New Age of Hatred, 9:00 – 10:00 am
Panel 4: Women and (human) security, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Keynote 2: Allan Rock, University of Ottawa and former LPC Cabinet Minister, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Daily Wrap-up, 1:30 – 2:30 pm

REGISTER HERE

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
2020-11-25 - 2020-12-10 | Virtual, Canada
Every year, from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (World Human Rights Day), Canadians observe the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. It is an opportunity to come together to call out, speak up and renew our commitment to end gender-based violence.
LEARN MORE BY VISITING WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY CANADA
What are the 16 Days?
Everyone deserves to live, work and study in a safe environment free from violence. However, many people in Canada and around the world continue to face violence every day because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until December 10, the World Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991.
The 16 Days are an opportunity to come together as Canadians, and with partners around the world, to call out and speak up on gender-based violence and to renew our commitment to ending violence against women, girls, LGBTQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two Spirit), and gender diverse individuals. In Canada, we also observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, honouring the memory of the women we lost during the tragic mass shooting at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989.
What is gender-based violence?
Gender-based violence is violence that is committed against someone based on their gender, gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender. Women; girls and young women; Indigenous women and girls; LGBTQ2 and gender diverse individuals; women living with a disability; and women living in Northern, rural and remote communities are at greater risk of gender-based violence.
Learn more about who gender-based violence affects in Canada.
Gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic
We all have a role to play in creating safe homes, schools, workplaces and communities. Now, more than ever, collective action against gender-based violence is needed, as we navigate the evolving COVID-19 crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted gaps in the very systems designed to keep people safe. It has created unprecedented challenges for those experiencing gender-based violence and the organizations that provide supports and services to them.
The stress and anxiety resulting from physical distancing measures was a top concern for many Canadians in early April 2020. One in 10 women reported being very or extremely concerned about the possibility of violence in the home.
In addition, young women between 15 to 24 years old were substantially more likely than young men to be very or extremely anxious about violence in the home (12% versus 8%, respectively). (Statistics Canada)

The Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH), a network of more than 70 shelters, reported a 20% increase in demand for admission in March 2020
The Assaulted Women’s helpline of Ontario reported a 400% increase in calls in April 2020
The Battered Women’s Support Services hotline, located in British Columbia, reported a 400% increase in calls between April and May 2020. Of those calls, 40% were from women isolated with their abuser

Be an ally!

Listen: be open to learning from the experiences of others
Believe: support survivors and those affected by violence
Speak out: add your voice to call out violence
Intervene: find a safe way to help when you see acts of gender-based violence
Volunteer: give your time to organizations working to end violence

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Future of Good Summit
2020-11-25 - 2020-11-26
It’s time to #BuildBackBetter.

Income inequality, collective mental trauma, weak elder care, online bullying, food insecurity, systemic racism. These problems, and many more, are exposed and amplified by the coronavirus pandemic. They are problems that aren’t simple to solve. But — the pandemic also illuminated a new breed of problem-solver. Let’s bring them all together in a first-of-its-kind digital experience on November 25+26, 2020.
LEARN MORE

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
2020-11-25
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.

CanWaCH Annual General Meeting
2020-11-24 13:00 - 14:30
Join us at our virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM), featuring remarks from Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, and André Picard, award-winning journalist!
CanWaCH is hosting our Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually and we want to see you there!
Over the past year, the world has borne witness to a flood of pressing issues causing uncertainty and the need for action—from the climate crisis to COVID-19. Now marks the time to come together to reflect on the interconnectedness of the human experience.
‘In all we do, we are putting a special focus on women and girls. Half of humanity is bearing the brunt of the social and economic consequences of COVID-19…This is a hidden war on women. Preventing and ending it requires the same commitment and resources that we devote to other forms of warfare.’
~António Guterres during his address to open the 75th General Debate at the UN General Assembly
Join CanWaCH at our upcoming AGM, as we focus on Canada’s collective response to current global public health issues.
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM EST
Please note, to maintain good standing and access to voting rights at the 2020 AGM, we require members to renew their membership by November 1, 2020. Please fill out the renewal form to renew your membership.
For inquiries related to the AGM, voting and membership, please contact Nicole Jamrozinski.
REGISTER HERE

World Children’s Day
2020-11-20
World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.

Virtual Town Hall with the Honourable Karina Gould
2020-11-19 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual, Canada
CanWaCH, the Inter-Council Network, Cooperation Canada, the Canadian Association for International Development Professionals (CAIDP) and the Climate Action Network (CAN-Rac) will present a bilingual Town Hall with the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development on November 19 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. ET.
In preparation for the Town Hall, please submit one question and one key message for consideration for the event. Please submit your question and comment by close of business, Tuesday, November 17.

World Toilet Day
2020-11-19
World Toilet Day celebrates toilets and raises awareness of the 4.2 billion people living without access to safely managed sanitation. It is about taking action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
This year the theme remarks the importance of “Sustainable sanitation and climate change“.
Climate change is accelerating. Flood, drought, and rising sea levels are threatening sanitation systems – from toilets to septic tanks to treatment plants. Floodwater can contaminate wells used for drinking water or flooding might damage toilets and spread human waste into communities and food crops, causing deadly and chronic diseases.
Everyone must have sustainable sanitation, alongside clean water and handwashing facilities, to help protect and maintain our health security and stop the spread of deadly infectious diseases such as COVID-19, cholera, and typhoid.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
2020-11-18 - 2020-11-24
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites resist the effects of medications, making common infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. Antimicrobials are used to fight diseases in humans, animals and plants and include antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic medicines.
A global action plan to tackle the growing problem of resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines was endorsed at the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2015. One of the key objectives of the plan is to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education and training. WAAW is celebrated annually from 18 to 24 November.

The Global Leadership Series: Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Children and Adolescents in the Context of COVID-19
2020-11-17 12:00 - 13:30
Hosted by the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health, the Global Leadership Series is designed to cultivate discussion on topical and timely global child health issues.
Topic: Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Children and Adolescents in the Context of COVID-19
When: Nov. 17, 2020, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Marie Hauerslev, Chair, NCD Child
Dr. Gene Bukhman, Co-Chair, Lancet NCDI Poverty Commission
Dr. Catherine Birken, Senior Scientist, SickKids
Moderator: Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, Co-Director, SickKids Centre for Global Child Health

World Prematurity Day
2020-11-17 12:00

Results Canada's National Conference
2020-11-14 00:00 - 2020-11-15 00:00

World Diabetes Day
2020-11-14 00:00

World Pneumonia Day
2020-11-12 12:00

Introduction to Gender Equality and Testing Innovation
2020-11-10 12:00
FIT is hosting an “Introduction to Gender Equality and Testing Innovation” micro-learning on November 10th at 10 am CST.

Foreign Policy By Canadians: Putting Public Health at the Heart of Canada’s Global Engagement
2020-11-09 12:00
Foreign Policy By Canadians is a joint initiative by the Canadian International Council (CIC), the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) and Global Canada.

The Essentials of Results-Based Management and Theory of Change during and post COVID-19
2020-11-09 00:00
