Seventy-three years ago, on December 10^th, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which cemented 30 rights and freedoms for every citizen, regardless of creed, nationality, gender or skin colour. (click here to see all 30) Fittingly, this initiative was led by Eleanor Roosevelt. 

We still have a long way to go to ensure each person is treated equitably.  Since the onset of the COVID (SARS CoV-2) pandemic, basic human rights have been clawed back or trampled with impunity and most affected are the rights of all women in all nations, including Canada.  More women and children are now living in extreme poverty, with income insufficient to meet basic needs.  The pandemic has not only highlighted the inequalities, it has increased discrimination, deprivation, exclusion, fear, oppression, and powerlessness.

Now is the time to learn and act. 

Learn: Start by reading Resetting Normal Reports, written by the Canadian Women’s Foundation.  Resetting Normal is a series of reports on gender equality and the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. The series explores risks to human rights exposed by the pandemic and proposes new ways to build a gender-equal Canada in pandemic recovery efforts. https://canadianwomen.org/resetting-normal/

Act: Volunteer at women’s shelters, food banks, drop in centres and missions.  Extend your seasonal generosity to others by donating to organisations which, often at great peril, are supporting women in Canada and around the world.

Women’s Rights are Human Rights!

#endGBV #UDHR #VAW #VAWP #refusetobesilent #16Days #cfuwontcouncil