Education | Action | Advocacy
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Women Helping Women for a Better Future
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CFUW Ontario Council News
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In this Issue
- Message from the Ontario Council President
- Speakers Series November 26 - Recap & Recording
- International Human Rights Day
- #16Days News & Events
- Darakht-e Danesh Library - CW4WA
- Club News & Events
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Message from Ontario Council President
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Message from Teresa Habs, President 2022-2024
Dear Friends and Sisters in CFUW.
As 2022 draws to a close and we make our way towards the holiday season and the events celebrating the Yuletide and the anticipation of good times ahead with family and friends, I am reminded where we were this time last year.
As CFUW OC members, we addressed the continuing need for all of us to come together and support our clubs. We were successful. Through technology we were able to have a positive year, culminating in hybrid meetings and moving through 2022 with great participation.
Our clubs kept many interest groups going remotely and in the open air during the warmer months. We participated in our clubs’ advocacy events, scholarship efforts, and letter writing Initiatives. We enjoyed togetherness with other clubs in the province and nationally as we invited them to enjoy our guest speakers and in exchange enjoyed theirs.
As a member of CFUW OC, I have been so appreciative of the Clubs and their cohesive efforts on behalf of their members. Thank you all for your dedication to each other and to CFUW in 2022!
We all know how difficult it has been to make someone’s day by smiling at them when you have to wear a mask. So, at this time of year, take any opportunity you can to spread cheer to a stranger by giving generously to the Food Bank or a Shelter, a toy drive or by verbally greeting strangers on the street.
My wish for all of us: Enjoy all those who are able to be present with you this holiday season, as you remember joyfully those who are unable to celebrate with you.
Happy Holidays and Best wishes for 2023!
Teresa Habs, President, CFUW Ontario Council
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Speakers Series November 26
Recap & Recording
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Is the Administrative Justice System Working
for the People of Ontario?
The Administrative Justice system affects many more citizens than the Criminal system, but it rarely gets the same attention. Adjudicative tribunals do work that would otherwise be done by the Courts. Major adjudicative tribunals in Ontario include the Human Rights Tribunal, the Labour Relations Board, the Landlord and Tenant Board, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Tribunal, the Social Benefits Tribunal, and the Automobile Accident Benefits Service. In theory, the burden on the Courts is relieved when cases dealing with specific rights and obligations are dealt with by tribunals with specialized expertise. In reality, today the administrative justice system is faced with multi-year backlogs resulting in unacceptably large delays. "Justice delayed is justice denied." This session, with an emphasis on women’s issues, examined on going issues with tribunals like the Landlord Tenant Board and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and explored some remedial actions to resolve issues.
In addition to their extensive experience in the administrative justice sector, both speakers--Kathy Laird and Brian Cook--are also members of Tribunal Watch Ontario, a public interest organization with a mission to monitor Ontario's adjudicative tribunal system, to advocate for adjudicative independence, and to promote access to justice for all Ontarians. They introduced Tribunal Watch's recommendation for a Judicial Council to limit political interference in the administrative justice process and to ensure competent adjudicators are appointed. The November 26th session was recorded. To request the recording link please send an e-mail to communications@cfuwontcouncil.org.
You may view and download Kathy's and Brian's presentations by clicking on the links below.
Kathy spoke to us about the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO), from its formation in 2008 to the current day situation, with an HRTO backlog of over 9,000 applications. Brian spoke about the adjudicative tribunal system in Ontario overall, and the work and recommendations of Tribunal Watch Ontario.
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16 Days of Activism Day 16
International Human Rights Day
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Every year the world honours Human Rights on December 10, the very day when, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This year the theme is “ Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All” as the United Nations looks forward to the 75th anniversary of the declaration in 2023. Although nearly three quarters of a century has passed, women in Canada and around the globe still encounter gender-based violence every day.
The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be celebrated on December 10, 2023. Ahead of this milestone celebration, starting on this year's Human Rights Day 2022, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR.org) will launch a year-long campaign to showcase the UDHR by focusing on its legacy, relevance and activism.
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Petition in support of the CFUW National Resolution
Strengthening Bail Laws to Protect Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
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CFUW Orillia, with support of the MP for Simcoe North, Adam Chambers, created an online petition urging the Federal Government to take the actions suggested in the Resolution, specifically to amend the bail laws so that repeat violent offenders are not released on bail, thereby improving safeguards for victims of intimate partner violence. The petition closed on December 7th and garnered 972 signatures. Now that the deadline for signing has closed, the Clerk of Petitions will proceed with a final validation of signatures. If there are at least 500 valid signatures, the Clerk of Petitions will issue a certificate to MP Chambers, and the Petition can then be presented to the House. A record of this presentation will appear in the Journals for that day and the petitioner, supporters and signatories of the petition will be advised by email after its presentation. The Standing Orders of the House of Commons require the government to respond to every petition presented to the House within 45 calendar days. The petitioner, supporters, signatories, and MP Chambers will be notified by email when the response is tabled in the House.
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CFUW Southport
This is why we still need to advocate
against gender-based violence!
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Approximately every six days, a Canadian woman is killed by her intimate partner. (Statistics Canada, 2021)
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118 women and girls were killed by violence in 2019; 160 women and girls were killed by violence in 2020 in Canada and 173 women and girls were killed by violence in 2021 in Canada. (Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, 2021)
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Men comprise about 20% of intimate partner homicide victims. (Burczycka and Conroy 2018; Conroy 2021).
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In 2020, one in five women killed in Canada was First Nation, Métis, or Inuit. (Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, 2021)
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While Indigenous women account for about 5% of all women in Canada, they account for 21% of all women killed by intimate partner violence. (Government of Canada, 2021)
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Indigenous women and girls are 16 times more likely than white women to be murdered or go missing from their homes and families. (National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Children exposed to violence experience mental health challenges: anxiety, depression, behavioural problems and risks of further victimization and adversity. (University of Calgary, 2021 of Canada, 2022)
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CFUW Welland & District
CFUW Welland & District stepped up their advocacy efforts for the 16 Days of Activism campaign, and hosted or partnered on several events including the November 25th flag raising in Welland, their REDress campaign in memory of MMIWG2S+, and the Purse project where members provide female personal products in gently used purses which are then donated to local women's shelters. Port Colborne published the news on their website at November is Women Abuse Prevention Month and 16 Days of Activism - City of Port Colborne.
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UWC Toronto/CFUW North Toronto
Annual Memorial Event to
Remember the Victims of the Montreal Massacre
UWC Toronto, in conjunction with CFUW North Toronto, hosted their annual memorial event to remember the victims of the Montreal Massacre. The speaker this year was Marisa Sterling, Assistant Dean of Engineering at the University of Toronto with responsibilities for diversity and equity. Marisa spoke about 14 actions each of us can undertake to stir ongoing work to eradicate violence against women. Click here to view the 14 actions.
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The Ontario Council Advocacy Committee is preparing a letter to be sent to Premier Doug Ford, regarding Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. Once it is sent, the letter will be published on the Ontario Council website.
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Darakht-e Danesh Library
Canadian Women for
Women in Afghanistan CW4WA
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Following up on the article in the November edition of OC News, please click here to download UN Women's Gender Alert No. 2: Women's rights in Afghanistan one year after the Taliban take-over. Their analysis has found that the Taliban has not changed its position on women's rights and that women are systematically excluded from public and political life, and restricted in their access to education, employment, justice and health services. CW4WA, through their Technology for Education program, are providing Afghans with access to knowledge and information for learning and teaching, despite the restrictions that are currently in place. DD Academi is their online learning platform and consists of three tools.
- The Darakht-e Danesh digital library (DDL) - a curated collection of over 6,000 educational resources in Afghan languages
- DD courses - an online platform of open courses, including those from accredited educational institutions, in Afghan languages
- DD classroom - a video app for teaching and learning, available for teachers and instructors teaching at any level, in Afghanistan or elsewhere
According to CW4WA, the DDL has been an educational lifeline for Afghan girls, since the Taliban took over.
If your club and/or members are looking for an international cause to fund and support, please consider a donation to this very worthy international cause. FYI, CW4WA has been a partner of CFUW since 2005.
For fundraising tracking purposes, Club donations should be sent to the CFUW National Office (815 St. Laurent Blvd, Unit 230 Ottawa, ON K1K 3A7) with International Service Project in the cheque memo.
Individual donations can be made directly on the Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan website by clicking on the DONATE button, then selecting "DD Library" from the Donate To drop-down menu. Please indicate your CFUW club name in the dedication.
Thank you.
Sandy Thomson
UN Agency Observer, consultant to the International Relations Committee
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CFUW Belleville & the Afghan Family Support Group - Fundraiser Raffle
Raffle! The funds raised will be used to pay transportation costs to bring an Afghan refugee family to Canada, as well as many other settlement costs. Tickets are $20 and the total value of the package is over $1,500, including a 2-night stay at Closson Cottage. For tickets or info please contact afghanrefugeeraffle@gmail.com. Tickets will be on sale until January. The draw date is January 3, 2023. To learn more about the family and the raffle, please click here.
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February 14, CFUW Etobicoke - Stop the Violence Breakfast
Please join CFUW Etobicoke at their 9th annual Stop the Violence Breakfast on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 9 AM via Zoom. This year features a conversation with feminist lawyer and advocate, Pamela Cross. Pamela will share her insight as an expert witness in the groundbreaking CKW Inquest, resulting from the 2015 femicide of three women in Renfrew County by their former partner. Learn about the 86 recommendations that resulted, what kind of an impact this had on law, and the role that each of us can play to ensure more implementation. You can REGISTER HERE . Tickets are $35 with all proceeds supporting Women’s Habitat and Ernestine’s.
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Women Helping Women
Our vision for Ontario Council can be summed up in the following key words:
Education. Action. Advocacy.
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Ontario Council News is a newsletter for and about our Ontario Clubs.
Because Ontario Council includes close to 50 clubs, we are not always able to publish club meetings, scholarship winners and other charitable giving. However, Club newsletters are published by month on the OC website under Club Actions & Events--to have your Club's newsletters published please e-mail your newsletters and other club news to communications@cfuwontcouncil.org. To help you help us, click the link below for all the information you need about our publication schedule, submission deadlines, and preferred format.
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December 10, 2022
INTERNATIONAL
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
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