Women in media Archives - Page 18 of 19 - Canadian Women's Foundation

Our 2015 Breakfast speaker talks women’s empowerment, disability & changing the world through comedy

Our 2015 Breakfast speaker talks women’s empowerment, disability & changing the world through comedy

Jessica Howard2017-12-19T17:35:26+00:00September 28, 2015|Empowering girls, Gender-based violence, Women in media|

What do you do when an obstacle stands between you and your dream? If you’re comedian and actress Maysoon Zayid, you find a way to laugh about it.

“Comedy is all about taking something that is otherwise painful, and spinning it in a way that allows you to laugh it off,” says Maysoon, who will be speaking at the Canadian Women’s Foundation Breakfasts in Calgary on Oct. 22 and Toronto on Oct. 27.

As a Palestinian Muslim woman living with cerebral palsy, Maysoon has scaled her share of obstacles while working toward her dream role: a part on General Hospital. Realizing that she didn’t fit the conventional actress mold, Maysoon looked to role models like Ellen DeGeneres and Gilda Radner. Comedy would be her ticket into the entertainment world.

When it comes to consent, we all need to go back to school

When it comes to consent, we all need to go back to school

Diane Hill2017-12-19T17:36:33+00:00September 17, 2015|Empowering girls, Gender-based violence, Sexual abuse, Women in media|

This article was originally published on the Huffington Post.

Well, back-to-school season is in full swing—time for new backpacks, the latest tablet, and trips to IKEA to furnish the dorm room.

It’s also time to talk about sexual consent.

At college and university frosh weeks across Canada, presentations on conversations about consent and rape culture are increasingly being added to the usual picnics, movie nights, and pop up cafes. Some universities have worked with local women’s organizations to create brilliant educational campaigns, like this one at McMaster. At its Ayamdigut campus in Whitehorse, Yukon College made informed consent the centerpiece of its entire orientation week. And it seems some post-secondary institutions will do just about anything to get the kids interested—in Halifax, Mount Saint Vincent University followed its discussion about consent with a round of sex toy bingo.

8 Gendered Questions to Ask Yourself During this Election Campaign

8 Gendered Questions to Ask Yourself During this Election Campaign

Karen Campbell2017-12-19T17:36:57+00:00September 15, 2015|Gender-based violence, How to, Women in media, Women’s poverty|

The federal election is just around the corner, and during this long campaign a mighty alliance of women’s organizations and their allies across Canada have been working tirelessly to engage our political leaders on issues of importance to women. Up for Debate has not only raised public awareness of a blind spot when it comes to gender issues in Canada’s political discourse, but has also carved out an important space for conversations on violence against women, women’s economic inequality, and the need for more women in leadership positions.

What the Hashtag: Efforts to #DenyRooshV & Build #ConsentCulture in Canada

What the Hashtag: Efforts to #DenyRooshV & Build #ConsentCulture in Canada

Amber Minnings2017-12-19T17:37:39+00:00August 31, 2015|Gender-based violence, Sexual abuse, What the Hashtag, Women in media|

August’s online activism was all about #consent.

The month started with the unfortunate emergence of pickup artist, Roosh V, and a widely shared petition to ban him from visiting Canada. The petition didn’t keep him out but it did get people talking, and #DenyRooshV became a rallying cry for those opposed to his pro-rape message.

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