Violence, Inequality and Power (VIP) Lab’s Post

Join us on May 5th to honor and remember the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirit, and gender diverse people in Canada. #MMIWG2S #RedDressDay Let's raise awareness and take action to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirit, and gender diverse people. Together, we can create a safer and more just society for all. Learn about Call to Action 41 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, urging the Canadian government to initiate an inquiry into these cases. Explore the findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and join us in advocating for the implementation of its 231 Calls for Justice. #IndigenousRights #EndViolence Educators, check out "Their Voices Will Guide Us," an engagement guide aimed at introducing the value of Indigenous women's and girls' lives in classrooms and fostering decolonizing pedagogy. Let's empower our youth to be agents of change. #EducationForChange #bcihs #bcindigenoushousing #indigenous

As the GNU takes shape, Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga is spearheading transformative efforts to combat pressing challenges affecting these vulnerable groups. Details here: https://brnw.ch/21wOANQ

My Personal Reflection on 16 Days of Activisim in my community. As a social development practitioner, I witness daily the resilience and courage of marginalized women and girls in Ghana, especially the Kayayei women (Head Potters) who carry not just physical loads but also the weight of inequality, violence, and neglect. These 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence remind me why I do what I do. Every story I hear of a young girl forced into a life of hardship, every mother struggling to protect her children from abuse, fuels my determination to create a better world. Violence against women and girls is not just an issue, it is a crisis. For a kayayei, who often face exploitation, harassment, and physical danger while trying to earn a meager living, the risks are even higher. They deserve more than survival, they deserve dignity, safety, and opportunity. This year at ILMIHA, we reaffirm our commitment to amplifying their voices, advocating for their rights, and creating pathways to education, healthcare, and safe working environments. Real change begins with us: challenging harmful norms, holding systems accountable, and showing compassion in our actions. Let us use these 16 days to reflect, advocate, and act, every single day! Together, we can ensure that no woman or girl is left behind UN Women CSC2023 - The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conference - Canada 2023 Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) Women for Women International MIT Solve UNFPA Equalizer Fund #16DaysOfActivism #EndGBV #kayayei #SupportKayayei #GenderEquality #TowardsBeijingPlus30 #CSW68

Today I attended a wonderful event for International Day of the Girl Child (IDG). Girl Rights Organizations organized 'A Girl Agenda Forum' climax in Dodoma Tanzania. Despite the barriers Girls face, most adolescent girls are hopeful for the future. The 2024 IDG theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’. This year’s theme conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future. In country theme for 2024 is :"Girls’ Leadership: Leveraging the Power of Technology

Today I attended a wonderful event for International Day of the Girl Child (IDG). Girl Rights Organizations organized 'A Girl Agenda Forum' climax in Dodoma Tanzania. Despite the barriers Girls face, most adolescent girls are hopeful for the future. The 2024 IDG theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’. This year’s theme conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future. In country theme for 2024 is :"Girls’ Leadership: Leveraging the Power of Technology

Every year on 10 December, the world observes Human Rights Day, a day dedicated to honouring the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. This groundbreaking document remains a cornerstone in the global effort to uphold dignity, freedom, and equality for all. The 2024 theme, "Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now," emphasises the urgency of addressing human rights challenges in real time, mobilising collective action to counter hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation while reinvigorating a global commitment to justice and equity. This day holds special significance as it also marks the conclusion of the #16DaysOfActivism against Gender-Based Violence, connecting the global fight for human rights with efforts to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG). Women’s rights, as fundamental human rights, encompass the freedom to live without violence, access education, own property, and participate fully in society. Yet, systemic denial of these rights persists, particularly against women and girls who face gender-based violence and discrimination. Celebrating Human Rights Day reminds us of the importance of inclusivity, equality, and justice in building a sustainable future. By committing to protect and promote human rights, we pave the way for a world where everyone can live with dignity and freedom. Our rights shape our future, and the time to act is now. UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women UN Women UN Human Rights - Asia African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) UNDP Nigeria #NoExcuse #EWEI16Days #TWC16Days

Red Dress Day is observed on May 5 each year to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit+ people in Canada. This annual remembrance traces its roots back to the REDress Project initiated by Métis artist Jamie Black in 2010. Since then, it has evolved into a nationwide movement to signify awareness of the number of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people. This is completely unacceptable. It is shameful. We need to call for an end to the acceptance of the fact that Indigenous girls, women, and two-spirited people can go missing or get murdered and this does not result in national outcry. If a non-Indigenous person goes missing, there is a nation-wide Canadian search. Why is this different for the Indigenous community? A person is a person. We all deserve the same dignity and human respect. #humanrights #MMIWG #NDMMIWG #raiseawareness #community #equalrights #equitymatters #genderjustice #Indigenous

During the 16 Days of Activism against GBV and as we end Indigenous Peoples' Month, it's crucial to recognize the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities. Indigenous women face disproportionately high rates of gender-based violence, rooted in historical marginalization and systemic inequality. Many experience underreporting, justice gaps, and cultural erosion, which intensify their vulnerability. How can we support? 🔸 Amplify voices: Share stories of Indigenous survivors and leaders. 🔸 Support culturally relevant programs: Advocate for policies and services tailored to Indigenous needs. 🔸 Engage in learning: Educate ourselves about the historical context and contemporary realities faced by Indigenous peoples.    Learn how Dexis and local indigenous women's groups are working to provide comprehensive support to indigenous survivors of GBV in Guatemala, one of the most dangerous places for women in Latin America 👇  https://lnkd.in/gJJbG8YZ     Together, we must work toward a future where all women—regardless of their heritage—live free from violence and discrimination. Let's use these 16 Days of Activism to deepen our commitment to equity and justice for Indigenous communities. #16DaysOfActivism #StopGBV #IndigenousRights #NoMoreSilence 

Is Canada’s Government living up to its feminist ambitions? Oxfam Canada has released its eighth annual Feminist Scorecard to assess the federal government’s progress on advancing a feminist agenda in twelve key policy areas. This year’s scorecard reveals that the government is still making strides on realizing feminist public policy in many areas, but is also falling short in serious ways: ✅ Five out of twelve policy areas in the scorecard rated a score of “Green” for significant progress. ⚠️ Four policy areas scored “Yellow” for some progress. ❌ Three policy areas scored “Red” for exhibiting little progress at all. Read the full scorecard here: https://lnkd.in/ehbjHAQb

🚨Our Activist’s Insightful Article🚨 “5 Ways Activists from Abroad Can Help Canada Implement Women, Peace, and Security Initiatives” ✅In this article, our activist Eucharia Uranta- Okonkwo, a PhD Candidate at the University of Ottawa, explores how exiled activists can bolster Canada’s commitment to UNSCR 1325. She shares insights on how unique perspectives from activists abroad can enhance Canada’s global peace strategies and support grassroots women-led initiatives. This article serves as a call to action for policymakers to engage with these untapped resources to foster meaningful change. With insights on grassroots impact, targeted engagement, and policy advice, this piece sheds light on the powerful role of activists in shaping inclusive peace and security strategies. 🔗 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eq3DHR5h #womenpeaceandsecurity #unscr1325 #activistsinexile #canada #globalpeace #genderequality #humanrights #feministpolicy #peacebuilding #inclusion