Advocacy & Community Partnerships
CFUW encourages its members to use their expertise to bring about change, with particular reference to women’s issues such as violence against women, early learning and child care, education, economic prosperity and the empowerment of women as leaders and decision-makers.
CFUW also works on a global level for the adoption and implementation of international agreements that will protect and benefit all women and girls. CFUW holds special consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC). CFUW regularly sends a delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
Over the years, CFUW has taken a stand on innumerable social issues based on our policies (i.e. adopted resolutions). Here you will find more information on some of these issues, advocacy tools and resources, International Women’s Day, our National Initiative on Violence Against Women and the United Nations.
CFUW also works on a global level for the adoption and implementation of international agreements that will protect and benefit all women and girls. CFUW holds special consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC). CFUW regularly sends a delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
Over the years, CFUW has taken a stand on innumerable social issues based on our policies (i.e. adopted resolutions). Here you will find more information on some of these issues, advocacy tools and resources, International Women’s Day, our National Initiative on Violence Against Women and the United Nations.
International Women's Day Activities
Karen Watmough, Program Lead - Yew Transition House & Thyme Second Stage, and the others from Sunshine Coast Community Services were extremely happy to again receive the filled toolboxes from CFUW-SC in celebration of International Women’s Day, March 10, 2023. In the photo are Unni Claridge (L), CFUW-SC, Karen and Diane Melody (R), CFUW-SC.
In the photo you will notice the blue bag hanging from each tool box; they contain some of the items we didn't get room for in the tool boxes. Thank you to our generous members, Dave Lamb and his staff at Gibsons Home Hardware and Julie Reeves of Gibsons Building Supply for their support.
In the photo you will notice the blue bag hanging from each tool box; they contain some of the items we didn't get room for in the tool boxes. Thank you to our generous members, Dave Lamb and his staff at Gibsons Home Hardware and Julie Reeves of Gibsons Building Supply for their support.
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Sunshine Coast Community Services Society
March 9 at 9:47 AM · A big thank you to the fantastic women from CFUW Sunshine Coast! In honour of International Women's Day yesterday, CFUW members Unni Claridge (left) and Barbara Cochran (right) presented fully-stocked toolboxes to Together Against Violence Manager, Carol Wainwright (centre) for the residents of Thyme Transition House. When women support each other, incredible things happen! Thank you for supporting our sisters to do it for themselves! |
 Thank you to Dave Lamb, the Manager of Gibsons Home Hardware for their generous support towards tools and toolboxes.
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L to R: Diana Adams, CFUW-SC President 2019-2020, Carol Wainwright, SCCSS - Manager, Together Against Violence, Michele Stobie, CFUW-SC 2019-2020 Secretary and a Past Club President, and Unni S. Claridge, also a Past Club President
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CFUW-SC donation of three fully-stocked tool boxes to Sunshine Coast Community Services transition houses. International Women's Day March 8 2019. Photo L to R Unni Claridge (Past President), Denise Woodley, (SCCS) Manager - Together Against Violence, Barbara Cochran (President) and Kathryn Caswell (CFUW member). Thank you to our members, Home Hardware (Gibsons) and Gibsons Building Supply for your support.
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Collection of toolboxes and contents for 2018
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March 8, 2018 Empowering women with a donation of toolboxes to the local women's shelter on International Women's Day. Thank you to our generous CFUW-SC members. L to R Jane McKee and Diana Adams, CFUW-SC members, Stephanie Mackie, Transition House Manager, Sunshine Coast Community Services; and Unni Claridge, President CFUW Sunshine Coast.
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Partnerships with local Libraries
In honour of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2019, CFUW SC was pleased to present a check for $200 to the Sechelt Public Library and another one to the Gibsons District Public Library. Librarians will use these funds to purchase books that celebrate the achievements of women and girls.
From L to R: CFUW-SC members Mardie Campbell (Membership), Unni Claridge (Past President), Elle Archibald (Chief Librarian, Sechelt), Barbara Cochran (President), Diana Adams (Vice-President).
Cheque presentation at the Gibson's Public Library. L to R CFUW-SC members Marlene Oussoren, Barbara Cochran (President), Heather Evans-Cullen (Gibson's Librarian), Michele Stobie and Unni Claridge (Past President).
Canada's Opioid Crisis
The following letter dated December 16th, 2021 is the Provincial government's response to BC Council on the Canada's Opioid Crisis.
| government_response_to_bc_council_opiod_letter.pdf |
Women in Leadership on the Sunshine Coast
Women in Leadership February 6, 2020
This very successful event, was presented by CFUW SC in partnership with Capilano University - Sechelt Campus. Thanks to everyone who has worked hard to make this event possible: CFUW SC Planning Committee (Barb Cochran, Diana, and Rosemary Blenkinsop) and Capilano University, Sechelt Campus for making the space available, registering participants, and setting up the room. This event was attended by approximately 60 people. Feedback from the attendees was generally very positive, for example: “When are you having the next event? Are you offering a series of these talks?” “Inspiring.” “Fabulous moderator.”
Moderator, Betty Baxter, skillfully facilitated three dynamic speakers: Darnelda Siegers, Mayor District of Sechelt; Jean Bennett, President Sunshine Coast Festival of Written Arts; and Poppy Hallam, Staff Sargent, Detachment Commander RCMP Sunshine Coast. Here are some of the highlights from the speakers:
This very successful event, was presented by CFUW SC in partnership with Capilano University - Sechelt Campus. Thanks to everyone who has worked hard to make this event possible: CFUW SC Planning Committee (Barb Cochran, Diana, and Rosemary Blenkinsop) and Capilano University, Sechelt Campus for making the space available, registering participants, and setting up the room. This event was attended by approximately 60 people. Feedback from the attendees was generally very positive, for example: “When are you having the next event? Are you offering a series of these talks?” “Inspiring.” “Fabulous moderator.”
Moderator, Betty Baxter, skillfully facilitated three dynamic speakers: Darnelda Siegers, Mayor District of Sechelt; Jean Bennett, President Sunshine Coast Festival of Written Arts; and Poppy Hallam, Staff Sargent, Detachment Commander RCMP Sunshine Coast. Here are some of the highlights from the speakers:
- Darnelda Siegers: “Embrace the opportunity to learn something new - outside of our comfort zone. Listen to your body, it is often sending us essential messages that help us to ‘step up’ and deal with whatever is occurring. If you are receiving feedback, it’s good to stand back and be open but to also acknowledge when it many not be [my] truth.”
- Jean Bennett: “Ask questions and hold ourselves accountable. Leadership requires we step into places we are profoundly uncomfortable in, or not used to doing.”
- Poppy Hallam: “Have a healthy detachment with kindness, empathy and professional approach. Take care of yourself, there are always organizational stresses, and we can get morally injured. It’s all about relationships.”
L to R Poppy Hallam, Jean Bennett and Darnelda Siegers at Women in Leadership
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Audience at February 6, 2020 Event Women in Leadership held at Capilano University - Sechelt Campus
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Courage Under Fire: Women & Girls in Afghanistan
Display table set up by the Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan celebrating Afghanistan women.
Dr. Lauryn Oates, executive director of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, described the current status of women and girls in Afghanistan, sharing updates from the education, health, government, economy, media and other sectors, as well as how Afghan women are responding to the prospect of "peace talks" with the Taliban. She also described the work of CW4WAfghan, a registered charity that runs education programs throughout Afghanistan, and that has worked in support of Afghan women and girls since 1996. Learn more at www.cw4wafghan.ca. Event co-sponsored by CFUW-SC and the Sechelt Public Library. Read more...
Affecting change through National CFUW Initiatives & Resolutions
Report to the UN Commission on the Status of Women
| UNCSW61Report.pdf |
National Initiative on Violence Against Women
Gender-based violence is a persistent and pervasive issue in Canada, affecting approximately half of all women over the course of their lives. The mental, physical, social, and financial impacts of violence are devastating and cannot be ignored.
Recognizing the importance of this issue, CFUW has a long history of promoting women and girls safety, and advocating for stronger national and provincial action to end violence against women, including intimate partner violence, sexual assault, non-state actor torture, human trafficking and prostitution.
Most recently, CFUW National has been advocating for a comprehensive national action plan/strategy to end violence against women and girls, and has been a strong supporter of Aboriginal women as they call for action on missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
With this national initiative, CFUW advocates providing increased support to women and children who experience all forms of violence, ensuring that their voices are heard, and letting them know that they have friends and supporters across Canada. Our collective efforts help raise public awareness about gender-based violence, improve support and prevention, and put pressure on all levels of government to take stronger action.
Recognizing the importance of this issue, CFUW has a long history of promoting women and girls safety, and advocating for stronger national and provincial action to end violence against women, including intimate partner violence, sexual assault, non-state actor torture, human trafficking and prostitution.
Most recently, CFUW National has been advocating for a comprehensive national action plan/strategy to end violence against women and girls, and has been a strong supporter of Aboriginal women as they call for action on missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
With this national initiative, CFUW advocates providing increased support to women and children who experience all forms of violence, ensuring that their voices are heard, and letting them know that they have friends and supporters across Canada. Our collective efforts help raise public awareness about gender-based violence, improve support and prevention, and put pressure on all levels of government to take stronger action.
Creating an Advocacy Campaign Workshop with Wendy Francis,
April 23, 2018
Take Action
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You don’t have to be a front line worker to take action on big issues important to women and Canadians. There are many ways that you can contribute to the wellbeing of Canadians and promote equality, social justice, fellowship and life-long learning for women and girls. You can become an advocate for women’s rights: in your community, by supporting organizations and campaigns, and urging leaders to take action! Join CFUW Sunshine Coast.
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Painkiller:Inside the Opiod Crisis A TELUS Health Originals documentary tells the human story behind the opioid epidemic affecting Canada. The documentary seeks to raise awareness and end the stigma of addiction by educating and informing viewers on what Fentanyl is and how it is affecting our country. Please copy and paste this link to share with as many people as possible. https://www.telus.com/en/health/personal/painkiller. For each view of Painkiller: Inside the Opioid Crisis*, a TELUS Health Originals documentary, we will give $5 (up to $50K) to organizations providing critical care to those in need through Mobile Health Clinics, powered by TELUS Health.
Join CFUW Sunshine Coast. Get involved in our community, learn and share news and take action on issues.
CanaDares & CFUW-SC Dinner Event March 8, 2018 IWD at the Botanical Gardens
Collection of warm socks for the homeless shelters for the 'Coldest Night of the Year' 2018
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