Blogs

Every October, we celebrate Women’s History Month in Canada. Along with it, we recognize Persons Day, which we celebrate on October 18th each year.

It’s considered one of the largest modern migrations: students, teachers, and support staff heading back to school!  Backpacks are zipped up, paper-bag lunches are packed, and bright yellow school buses roll around street corners once again after a summer hiatus that always feels too short.  Despite the looming and dreaded concept of “work”, the first week of school is always optimistic with the notion of a fresh start.  However, as the school year continues, everyone inevitably experiences ups and downs.  Whether you’re a teacher, student, custodian, or principal, the school year is a great opportunity to support one another.

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Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) refers to all forms of sexual violence which occur in the context of an intimate relationship between current or former partners.

On Thursday, March 24th, the verdict in the Jian Ghomeshi sexual assault trial will be delivered. Individuals and organizations are getting together to show that #WeBelieveSurvivors.  Join us in solidarity to support the women who bravely testified, the countless others who could not go to the police, and people who have lived through sexual violence in our communities.

Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day in 2016 is “Women’s Empowerment Leads to Equality”.  It’s a theme that leaves us asking, “But doesn’t it also work the other way around?  Doesn’t equality also lead to empowerment?

February is among the bleakest months so most of us are thrilled to be among the two thirds of Canadians who are entitled to an extra holiday like Family Day.  But for anyone living in an abusive relationship, a holiday can be stressful and frightening.

We’re celebrating our Dads this Sunday – biological, adoptive, figurative -- you name it.  Because being a father doesn’t depend on chromosomes as much as it does on caring.  And it’s a big job what with the expectations to shoulder half of everything from the mundane tasks like diaper changes to driving the kids to soccer games and dance lessons to serving as an exemplary role model.

On Mother’s Day, we celebrate our moms – women who bring us into the world, raise us and love us no matter what we do.  They love us so much, they’ll even point out our faults without prompting and tell us how to do better!

People have been marking Women’s Day for more than 100 years -- since 1909, in fact.  The United Nations made it official in 1975, naming March 8^th as a day of celebration.  Thousands of events are held and there’s lots of talk about change but are we really making progress when it comes to gender equality?