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B.C. Federation of Labour hosting roundtable for community groups to examine and seek solutions to violence against women
December 5, 2007
VANCOUVER - The B.C. Federation of Labour will be hosting a roundtable for community groups to examine violence against women tomorrow, December 6, the National Day of Action and Remembrance of Violence Against Women.
The Roundtable, co-hosted by the BC Coalition of Women's Centres and the Save Our Daughters Coalition, will bring together women's advocates, multi-cultural associations, community non-profits, labour advocates, family members of missing and murdered women, victims' services groups and others to share their experience and expertise in taking action on violence against women.
Special Guest Speakers include:
• Dr. Amritpal Shergill, Registered Psychologist, Community Initiatives
• Brenda Wilson, Sister of Ramona Wilson (missing women from the Highway of Tears)
• Mandy Sidhu, Coordinator, Save Our Daughters Coalition
• Rupi Sihota, Legal Advocate, South Fraser Women's Services Society
• Sue Hammell, MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers, former Minister of Women's Equality
The Roundtable will look at violence from five key perspectives: factors perpetuating a climate of violence, barriers women face in leaving violent situations, the role of the community in responding to violence, how to ensure the necessary resources are available to women experiencing violence and legislative solutions to aid women and prevent violence.
Federation Secretary-Treasurer, Angela Schira called the roundtable "an opportunity to not only mourn the tragic loss of so many women, but also an opportunity to come together to work on an action plan to end the violence."
"While it's frustrating that we have not seemed to make too much progress in the last 30 years, let's make sure there is a future for our daughters and granddaughters in a society where all forms of violence against women are not tolerated."
As well, the Federation will be hosting a breakfast tomorrow morning for labour activists and community women, with special guest Margaret Mitchell, the former NDP Member of Parliament for Vancouver East, author of No Laughing Matter, and one of the first politicians to raise the issue of violence against women in Canada's House of Commons.
DATE: December 6, 2007
TIME: 7:30 am Breakfast
9:00 am Roundtable - Opening Plenary
PLACE : Hilton Vancouver Metrotown
6083 Mackay Avenue
Burnaby, BC
- 30 -
For further information contact Jessie Uppal: 604-430-1421 or 604-220-0739.
