March 8 is International Women’s Day.
On that day, residents are urged to reflect on the role of women in society and the changes that have occurred since the first Women’s Day in 1909.
“The Canadian Federation of University Women is one of a number of organizations in Vernon that focus on women’s issues,” states a CFUW release.
“After the CFUW was formed 50 years ago, one of the first events the Vernon chapter focused on was the landmark 1967 Royal Commission on the Status of Women. Through speakers at club meetings and Capsule College presentations, almost every angle of women’s issues has been addressed.”
In the past year, the CFUW has sponsored forums at the Vernon library on prostitution laws and child care.
The CFUW also supports the Vernon Women’s Transition House and keeps shelves filled with books free for the taking at the transition house, the food bank and the First Nations Friendship Centre.
Individual members have also contributed to the community.
Among them are the late Anna Cail, who was a peace activist, and current members Nadine Poznanski, who is involved in Amnesty International, and Julia Lissau, who is part of the Sustainable Environment Network Society.
“On the national scene, CFUW advocates for women’s equality in Canada and abroad, and is concerned with a wide range of other public policy issues important to women, including aboriginal affairs, education, the environment, peace, justice and human rights, among others,” states the release.
“At the national level, we monitor federal legislation and policies and stay in contact with the government of Canada and other government officials to communicate our members’ views.”
CFUW has consultative status at the United Nations and sends a delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women.
The topic in 2015 is the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the commission will review the progress in implementing this declaration 20 after its adoption.
