Canadian women join over 25,000 others at virtual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 26, 2021
Over the past two weeks, twenty-seven delegates from women’s clubs across Canada, joined over 25,000 activists from around the world to participate in this year’s virtual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women is the principal intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. Due to the pandemic, the annual New York City-based conference took place in a hybrid format with mostly virtual meetings.
The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) is a non-partisan women’s organization with Consultative Status with the United Nations (UN). From nearly 100 clubs across Canada, CFUW sends delegates to join official representatives from UN Member States, UN agencies, and other accredited civil society organizations to discuss the progress and gaps in advancing the status of women in all regions of the globe.
Since the Commission was established in 1946, civil society organizations like CFUW have taken a leading role in strengthening political commitment to gender equality and advancing the dialogue on the empowerment of women and girls. CFUW focuses on the prevention of violence against women, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and establishing a public system of child care as strategies to advance the status of women in Canada and abroad.
On March 24, CFUW was proud to host a virtual panel discussion on how to mobilize communities toward positive change which featured Jackie Neapole of the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW), Dr. Stephanie Mullen from the University of Ottawa, Shelagh Day of the Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) and Ashwini Selvakumaran, a Youth Ambassador with Plan International Canada.
The two-week conference concluded on March 26 after UN Member States reached an agreement on how countries can work together to accelerate gender equality and ensure that women’s rights are respected and protected.
CFUW delegates look forward to sharing the information they have learned over the past two weeks with other members of CFUW and community leaders in their area. To learn more about joining CFUW and gender equality in Canada, visit www.cfuw.org.
CFUW’s Advocacy Scorecard
CFUW works to take action on social issues that impact women and girls in Canada and abroad. CFUW uses this “advocacy scorecard” page to monitor our advocacy efforts. We publish our National advocacy letters to elected officials to identify allies and hold those in positions of power accountable. CFUW also supports the advocacy of partner organizations and aims to amplify the efforts of issue leaders by signing & endorsing their letters.
Early Learning & Child Care
- Create a National Child Care Program Now!
- September 8, 2020. 18 letters, among them, to: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development; The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance; The Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle-Class Prosperity
- Response: September 23, 2020. National President, Kathryn Wilkinson met with Ms. Lindsay Mathyssen, M.P., Deputy Whip of the New Democratic Party. M.P. Mathyssen expressed support for a Universal Child Care program in Canada.
- Follow-up to the Speech from the Throne
- September 29, 2020. To: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
- School Reopenings & COVID-19 Data Collection
- October 16, 2020. To: Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada. CC: The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health & The Honourable R. J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture & Employment, Council of Ministers of Education
- Response: December 4, 2020. Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada replied with this letter.
- Let all Children Access Canada Child Benefits
- February 15, 2021. To: The Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland; The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development; The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue
Violence against Women
- A National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence
- December 7, 2020. To: The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
- Transparency in the Termination of the Yukon Advocate Case Review project
- February 23, 2021. To: Brenda Lucki, Commissioner, Royal Canadian Mounted Police & Kevin Stringer, Chief Administrative Officer, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- March 9, 2021. Response from RCMP Commissioner Lucki.
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
- Joint letter on Joyce Echaquan’s death
- October 5, 2020. To: The Honourable François Legault, Premier of Quebec. CC: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services; Ms. Sylvie D’Amours, Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs
Climate Change & Environment
- Coal mining in Alberta
- March 12, 2021. To: Atrum Coal CEO; Benga Mining Limited / Riversdale Resources CEO; Warburton Group CEO; &Montem Reources Alberta Operations Ltd. CEO
*NEW* Long-Term Care
- Coming Soon.
International Advocacy
- CFUW’s Written Statement to the United Nations 65th Commission on the Status of Women
- Global Affairs Canada consultation on Feminist Foreign Policy
- CFUW Comments on the Zero Draft Agreed Conclusions for the 65th UNCSW
- Letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs on Turkey’s withdrawal from the “Istanbul Convention”
Joint efforts
- Roundtable with women’s rights and equality-seeking organizations for Federal Budget 2021
- September 18, 2020. To: The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
- Action Plan on Women in the Economy Taskforce
- November 17, 2020. To: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister & The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
- RESPONSE: March 8, 2021 – Government announces members of new Task Force on Women in the Economy. Click here to find out more. Thank you to our partners for their advocacy in the creation of this important task force.
Advocacy in Action – Our Policy Base
16 Days of Activism 2020 Toolkit
The 16 Days of Activism (November 25th to December 10th) is an international campaign to generate actions that will put an end to violence against women and girls. From November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10th, International Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign can help put an end to violence against women and girls. CFUW clubs and members can be trailblazers in their communities and across the country, contributing positively to end gender-based violence (GBV).
Calling for a National Action Plan on MMIWG
The Canadian government must give a clear timeline on the release and implementation of a national action plan to address the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls final report and 231 calls for action. Send CFUW’s petition on MMIWG via email or mail to Carolyn Bennett Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs.
