The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Vernon is the local chapter of CFUW, a federal organization that welcomes ALL women who support its purposes, mission, and values. CFUW is a non-partisan, voluntary, self-funded organization with 90 chapter clubs across the country, of which Vernon is one, located in every province across Canada. Since its founding in 1919, CFUW has been working to improve the status of women and to promote human rights, public education, social justice, and peace. 2019 was CFUW’s 100th Anniversary!
At the local level, we work to support and advocate for women’s rights. We encourage life-long learning for ourselves and for others through, among other things, our scholarship iniatives, We also we work to have fun in the process of our various activities and felloship. Non-members are welcome to join us at an event or two while considering membership. Check out our events and activities page for more information or email us at vernoncfuw@gmail.com.
November 25th marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Vernon, in British Columbia, in Canada, and around the world. The date of November 25 was chosen to commemorate the lives of the Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic who were violently assassinated in 1960. The day pays tribute to them and urges global recognition of gender-based violence. This date has been designated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women; the end date of the 16 Days campaign is December 10th, Human Rights Day.
In Canada, we also observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women during the 16 Days to remember the women who were murdered during the tragic mass shooting at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989.
This year, we commemorate the deaths by gender-related violence of 1,125 women in the years between 2011 to 2021. Tragedies such as the October 23, 2023 murders in Sault Ste Marie of a woman and three children by an intimate partner continue to happen.
What can we do as individuals to help prevent these needless deaths? The Canadian Women’s Foundation has three suggestions of where to begin.
1. Learn the Signal for Help https://signalresponder.ca/
2. Search for two to three services in your community that you can recommend to someone who needs help: Archway Society for Domestic Peace, Family Resource Centre Society for the North Okanagan, Vernon Women’s Transition House, RCMP Victim Services, and others
3. Volunteer with a group that works to end gender-based violence: Victim Services, Archway Society for Domestic Peace, White Ribbon Campaign, Moosehide Campaign.
