What the Hashtag: 2015 in Review

2016-01-05T15:10:52+00:00January 5, 2016|Empowering girls, Gender-based violence, Weekly roundup, What the Hashtag|

Woman with thought bubble2015 was a year of progress on gender equality and women’s rights in Canada.

Inclusive Leadership

We voted for the #countrywewant and elected a record number of women in the federal election (#elxn42), ending the year with a gender-equal parliament and a feminist Prime Minister. While many tried to discredit this overdue move toward gender parity in government as affirmative action without merit, the women appointed as ministers are more than qualified.

What the Hashtag: Working to #EndViolence for #16Days and Beyond

2017-12-19T17:23:43+00:00December 16, 2015|Gender-based violence, Weekly roundup, What the Hashtag|

Woman with thought bubbleThere was a chorus of voices calling for an end to gender-based violence in November and December.

On Nov. 19 and 20, the Ontario government brought together policy makers, service providers and activists for a summit on sexual violence and harassment or #SVHAP2015. Participants shared innovative ideas, discussed how to raise public awareness, support survivors, create safer campuses and workplaces, and spark a change in attitudes and behaviours. The Ontario government also released its second #ItsNeverOkay video and federal Minister for the Status of Women @PattyHajdu announced that the government would create a national action plan to address violence against women—a long sought-after commitment.