Good morning!
We’re currently gathering with grantee partners at West Coast LEAF’s Equality Breakfast, alongside community members, advocates and activists with a shared passion for gender justice. It’s one important way we commemorate International Women’s Day, a time for global recognition and celebration of the remarkable achievements of women in all spheres—social, economic, cultural, and political.
The significance of International Women’s Day has never been more pronounced as women worldwide confront unprecedented challenges to their rights. In recent years, we’ve seen gender-based violence and economic inequalities escalate, and witnessed alarming assaults on the rights of women, trans and non-binary people, both in Canada and around the globe.
As I step deeper into my role as Program Director, with a focus on gender justice and community, I’ve been curious about the joys, challenges and learnings that overlap in these movements. Whether it’s ensuring shelter and meals for women and their families, championing accessible childcare, fostering mentorship connections with young women and girls, or advocating for fundamental rights, each aspect of this work holds greater significance than ever before.
We are proud to partner with many organizations tackling these challenges directly through movement building and organizing, policy and advocacy and by providing direct – lifesaving – services.
Below is a list of our grantee partners working on gender justice everyday.
- Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
- Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland
- Canadian Women’s Foundation
- Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC
- Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre Association
- Equality Fund
- Family Services of the North Shore
- FRIDA
- Justice for Girls
- Options for Sexual Health
- Oxfam Canada
- Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS)
- Rise Women’s Legal Centre
- Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week
- WISH Drop-In Centre Society
- YWCA Metro Vancouver
Proud to do this work alongside you. Happy International Women’s Day.
Lizzy
What our team is inspired by this month:
- Reading: Building political power when everything is at stake, jumpsuits are the worst uniforms (except for all the others), and a feminist guide to investing.
- Watching: A powerful feminist film at the GEM Festival in Vancouver, or a living room screening one of the 100 best feminist movies of all time.
- Listening: A global feminist playlist and these feminist anthems, Tracy Chapman’s revolutionary sounds and diving into care and endurance practices.