Advocacy
The Right to Speak.
The Responsibility to Act.
Advocacy is a fundamental part of the work of CFUW, advocating for the advancement of the status of women, human rights and the common good. For CFUW, advocacy has always included social and community action. Below are some of the projects we have been working on.
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Single Use Plastic Challenge
In 2022 the Advocacy Team focused on a single project - having its members reduce their use of Single Use plastics. The goal was that the challenge would result in a permanent awareness of protecting our precious environment and leaving a cleaner and more sustainable planet for generations to come.
CFUW Orillia challenged their members to make changes, even one step at a time by finding alternatives to plastics that are discarded and where possible replacing items with products that are more environmentally friendly. The club members were issued a new challenge every month and tracked their progress.
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End Human Trafficking
Local Advocacy Committee:
CFUW Orillia Advocacy members participate in the ONRoute Rally held July 30, 2019 to support efforts to end human trafficking.
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16 Days of Activism
December 6th - Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Op-ed article in OrilliaMatters
Participation in Green Haven Shelter for Women - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Awareness information read at each Interest Group meeting
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Women in Politics
Women in Politics - Speed Networking Workshop
The CFUW Orillia Advocacy Committee presented “Women in Politics - Speed Networking Workshop” at the Orillia Secondary School Cafetorium on the evening of Wednesday, April 24, 2019. The event was open to the public.
Why is balanced representation important?
What keeps women from becoming candidates in elections?
What are the solutions?
Joining in the discussion about achieving balanced representation in politics were
these experienced women:
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Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North
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Pat Hehn, City of Orillia Councillor
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Sharon Henry, former Chief of Chippewas of Rama First Nation
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Valerie Powell, Candidate for the Green Party
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Liz Riley, Candidate for the Liberal Party
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Sarah Valiquette, Severn Township Councillor
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Elizabeth Van Houtte, Candidate for the NDP.
Kim Fedderson, former Principal of Lakehead University Orillia moderated.
CFUW ORILLIA: WOMEN in POLITICS RESOURCES
BOOKS
“Ladies Upstairs – My Life in Politics and After”, by Monique Bégin
“Gender and Party Politics”, by Joni Lovendeski and P. Norris
“Still Counting: Women in Politics Across Canada”, by Linda Trimble and Jane Arscott
WEBSITES
SCHOLARLY ARTICLES
Women are Under-represented
ProQuest
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National Initiatives: CFUW Advocacy Blog: https://cfuwadvocacy.wordpress.com/
Provincial Initiatives: Ontario Standing Committees:
The Ontario Standing Committees meet three times a year to discuss issues at the provincial level relating to Legislation, Education, and Status of Women. To read the reports from these meetings, please click here. For further information, please contact us.