Urgent call for tighter rules on arms trade in final treaty
Oxfam report cites loopholes which must be closed to save lives Oxfam Canada urges the Canadian government to ensure the global Arms Trade Treaty is a robust agreement that covers ammunition and closes loopholes to save innocent lives. A new Oxfam report details loopholes that must be closed in final negotiations. “Canada has achieved its…
Read MoreTime for an action plan to end violence against women
by Michèle Taïna Audette and Robert Fox Many women around the world live in daily fear of violence. In South Africa, every six hours a woman is killed by her partner. In Guatemala, two women are murdered on average daily. In Canada, thousands of women suffer serious physical assaults by their current or former partners…
Read MoreMars, Mondelez, Nestlé are leaving women farmers behind
On International Women’s Day Oxfam urges chocolate companies to address gender inequality in their supply chains. An investigation into four countries where Mars, Mondelez and Nestlé purchase cocoa has shown that many women farmers face discrimination, unequal pay and hunger, leaving the companies’ social policies exposed as weak and needing work, says international agency Oxfam.…
Read MoreKey UN women’s conference must act to end violence against women
Delegates from over 190 governments meeting at the UN-led Commission on the Status of Women this week in New York have the chance to take a critical step against the global scourge of violence against women, said international aid agency Oxfam. The agency said the two-week conference must go beyond discussing agreements made some 20…
Read MoreSyria crisis spiraling out of control: flood of refugees overwhelming aid effort
Aid money pledged must be quickly released to address urgent needs, says Oxfam Syria’s humanitarian crisis is spinning out of control, leaving relief agencies overstretched and struggling to cope with a massive surge in refugee numbers and with promised funds still yet to arrive on the ground, warns international aid agency Oxfam. Some 5,000 refugees…
Read MoreYes, the G8 still matters
Yes, the G8 still mattersThis year the G8 can begin the end of world hunger by Ben PhillipsOxfam Campaigns Director In the nineteenth century, many families fled to Canada from the Irish Famine, and many of those who couldn't make it ended up in mass graves like one in Ardess, Fermanagh, whose stone tribute reads…
Read MoreTen biggest food and beverage companies failing millions of people who grow their ingredients
The social and environmental policies of the world’s ten biggest food and beverage giants are not fit for modern purpose and need a major shake-up, says international agency Oxfam. The “Big 10” food and beverage companies – that together make $1 billion-a-day – are failing millions of people in developing countries who supply land,…
Read MoreLand investors targeting poorly governed countries to avoid red tape, warns Oxfam
Investors are targeting the world's weakest-governed countries to buy land, according to new analysis published on Oxfam's international day of action against land grabs Thursday. Oxfam's GROW campaign is calling on the World Bank to lead the fight against land grabs. The analysis reveals that over three quarters of the 56 countries where land deals were…
Read MoreOxfam Expresses Support for Idle No More
Oxfam Canada stands in solidarity with Idle No More, and with all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples working peacefully to implement treaty and other indigenous rights. Oxfam welcomes the transformative leadership exercised by women and youth within the Idle No More movement. Canadian treaties were negotiated to establish the foundation for a lasting, peaceful…
Read MoreSituation for Malian refugees set to worsen as fighting escalates
The aid effort to help over 147,000 Malian refugees could be overwhelmed as conflict escalates, unless there is a significant shift in the way aid operations are carried out, international agency Oxfam warned today. With aid agencies already struggling to meet all refugees' basic needs, Oxfam says it is extremely concerned about the conditions faced…
Read MoreOxfam calls for civilian protection and humanitarian access as Mali conflict escalates
International aid agency Oxfam is extremely concerned that the recent intensification of fighting in Mali, which includes the intervention of French military, could worsen restrictions on humanitarian access and lead to a significant increase the humanitarian needs of populations across the country and in neighbouring states. Oxfam calls on all military forces in the country,…
Read MoreWinnie Byanyima appointed to lead Oxfam International
Winifred (Winnie) Byanyima, a grass-roots activist, human rights advocate, senior international public servant, and world recognized expert on women's rights, has been appointed Executive Director of Oxfam International – a role that provides strategic direction and coordination for the worldwide confederation of Oxfam affiliates. Ms Byanyima has held roles that reinforced the governance of the…
Read MoreFragile progress in Haiti three years on, but more needs to be done
Three years after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January 2010, hundreds of thousands of people are still living under tents and tarpaulins and the country and its people continue to be very vulnerable, international agency Oxfam warned today. “Thanks to the determination of the Haitian people and their government, and the generosity and…
Read MoreCampaigning for Positive Changes for Indian Women in 2013
Campaigning for Positive Changes for Indian Women in 2013 Oxfam India strongly condemns the brutal sexual assault and subsequent death of a young woman in Delhi and calls for an immediate systemic response to the increasing trend of violence against women in the country. It also calls for broader reforms around women’s empowerment through concrete…
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