Mobilizing for Gender Equality: A Celebration of Canada’s GE Week 2020

To mark Canada’s Gender Equality Week 2020, we hosted a special virtual convening featuring two days of diverse multi-day programming led by experts in advocacy, education, policy development, research, programming and more.

DAY ONE: SEPTEMBER 23

OPENING CEREMONY

Until all communities have equal access to basic healthcare, we can’t achieve gender equality for all. Hear Lorraine Whitman of The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) and CanWaCH’s Julia Anderson in conversation about gender and health equity in Canada.

Speakers

• Lorraine Whitman, President, Native Women’s Association of Canada
• Julia Anderson, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operations Officer, CanWaCH

LAUNCH OF GENDER EQUALITY TRAINING MODULES

This session marks the launch of CanWaCH’s Gender Equality Training Modules hosted by training developer Jennifer Donville. Get an overview of the training modules, their content, objectives and a special sneak peek!

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Speakers

• Megan Aikens, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Gender Equality, CanWaCH
• Jennifer Donville, Independent Consultant

MEASURING EMPOWERMENT – THE WAY FORWARD IN LOCALIZATION

How does the integration of empowerment support localization? Learn how to further strengthen capacity in applying a gender equality lens to MEAL (monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning) and use a feminist approach as a priority to advance women’s empowerment. Programmatic experts share practical examples of their work and how to operationalize feminist practices across project stages.

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Speakers

• Anna Du Vent, Women’s Rights Knowledge Specialist, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), Oxfam Canada 
• Calais Caswell, Technical Specialist, MEDA 
• Lucia Diaz-Martin, Gender Sector Policy Manager, J-PAL 
• Shiva Mazrouei, Research Officer, YWCA Canada
• Jessica Ferne, Director of Global Health Impact, CanWaCH 
• Antu Hossain, Global Health Impact Officer, CanWaCH (Moderator)

Resources

• MEDA Gender Progress Markers – Implementation Manual 
• Gender Equity and Outcome Mapping 
• Summary Learnings – Outcome Mapping 
• Oxfam Canada Feminist MEAL guidance note 
• J-PAL Measuring Women & Girls’ Empowerment Guide 
• EMERGE Gender Equality & Empowerment Measures 
• YWCA Born to be Bold project 

PROPOSAL WRITING WITH A GENDER EQUALITY LENS

Learn how to strengthen capacity in proposal writing while incorporating a gender equality lens. Presenters provide practical solutions, examples and strategies around proposal writing with a GE lens to suit the needs of a variety of funders, both private and government.

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Speakers

• Christina MacIsaac, Director of Innovation, Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FITT)
• Colombe Fourn, Program Officer, Gender and Public Engagement, Fund for Innovation and Transformation 
• Kristin Douglas, Executive Director, Ethiopiaid 
• Lauren Dobson-Hughes, LDH Consulting

DAY TWO: SEPTEMBER 24

IN THE HOT SEAT: A DEEP DIVE INTO FEMINIST PROGRAMMING

This roundtable discussion features a diverse panel of experts who will unpack the current state of Canada’s leadership in global health and gender equality. Panelists answer key questions including: What is Canada’s role as a global health leader? As a feminist funder? As a leader of Action Coalition 6 for Generation Equality?

Speakers

• Julia Anderson, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operations Officer, CanWaCH
• Remie Abi-Farrage, Program Officer Global Programs, Equality Fund 
• The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development
• Kate Higgins, Interim Executive Director, Oxfam 
• Jocelyn Mackie, Co-CEO, Grand Challenges 

HUMAN RESOURCES AND RECRUITMENT – EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

This is an interactive and in-depth conversation on equity, diversity and inclusion in the non-profit sector. How do we move away from tokenism in the sector and cast a wider net when it comes to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce? Panelists unpack these ideas, share practical resources and strategies and take a deeper dive into how we can foster inclusivity, diversity and equity within our sector starting with our places of work. 

Speakers

• Stephanie Wiafe, Communications and Engagement Officer, HealthBridge Foundation of Canada
• Sydney Piggott, Director, Programs and Projects, YWCA Canada
• Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD)
• Juanita Gnanapragasam, Public Health Practitioner

FIRESIDE CHAT: EVIDENCE FOR WHO? GENDER DATA AT THE FOREFRONT

How are global partners spotlighting a focus on data gaps affecting women and adolescent girls? Experts share how evidence is being mobilized in three unique areas: journalism, advocacy and programming. Engage with a diversity of perspectives on how an effective story, informed by data can keep priority areas on the agenda.

Speakers

• Jill Doctoroff, Executive Director, National Abortion Federation Canada 
• Taryn Russell, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Save the Children Canada
• Mustapha Dumbuya, Journalism Trainer, Journalists for Human Rights 
• Danny Glenwright, Executive Director, Action Against Hunger Canada (Moderator)

CLOSING CEREMONY 

Marking the end of Canada’s third annual Gender Equality Week and Beijing+25 Celebrations, this closing ceremony highlights this year’s key takeaways and shares next steps for creating a more gender-just world post COVID-19.

Speakers

• Julia Anderson, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operations Officer, CanWaCH
• Performance by Cassandra Myers, Spoken Word Artist