Media Advisory: Oxfam and FAFIA celebrate International Women's Day

International Women's Day (IWD) offers a unique opportunity to critically examine our progress toward the goal of women's equality.

Media are invited to attend an event in recognition of IWD hosted by Oxfam Canada in partnership with the Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA).

What: Making Women's Human Rights Matter

           Dispatches from Canada and Around the Globe

When: Thursday, March 8, 12.30 1.45 pm (EDT)

Where: Library, National Press Club of Canada, 150 Wellington, Ottawa

Featured speakers:

1. Shelagh Day, BC Poverty and Human Rights Centre & Co-Chair, FAFIA

2. Robert Fox, Executive Director, Oxfam Canada

3. Lilian Giovana Lemus Pérez, Network for Non-Violence, Guatemala

4. Her Excellency Mrs. Ingrid Iremark, Ambassador, Sweden

Women in countries around the globe with whom Oxfam and FAFIA work are disturbed that a country as rich as Canada would have high rates of poverty among women, particularly Aboriginal, racialized and immigrant women, and that commitments to providing social services which are essential to women are diminishing.  They wonder how they will overcome barriers to equality in their own countries when they see Canada stepping back from its obligations to ensure women's rights are fully implemented.

There is much yet to be done to achieve women's equality here in Canada and around the world.  This event will provide an occasion to reflect on what needs to be done now.

FAFIA is a dynamic alliance of over 80 women's and human rights groups in Canada. www.fafia-afai.org

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Interview requests and further information:

Nancy Peckford, FAFIA

613.292.7941, npeckford@fafia-afai.org