Toronto event on missing murdered Indigenous women and girls features Colombian peace builder, November 25 


Logo - KAIROS Media Release

(Toronto, ON) – The root causes of violence against women in Canada and Colombia, and how to stop it, will be the focus of No Mas! End Violence Against Women Now – a panel discussion in Toronto sponsored by KAIROS Canada on November 25, the UN International Day to End Violence against Women, and featuring Colombian and Canadian activists.

The panel will include Isabel Caicedo Polanco, a community leader and member of Organización Femenina Popular (OFP), a Colombian grassroots women’s rights organization and KAIROS partner; Audrey Huntley, founding member of No More Silence; and Caitlyn Kasper of Aboriginal Legal Services.

WHAT No Mas! End Violence Against Women Now – A panel discussion

WHEN Friday, November 25; 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

WHERE Multi-Faith Centre, University of Toronto (569 Spadina Avenue).

MEDIA INTERVIEWS – 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Isabel Caicedo Polanco is also available for interviews during the day.

WHY To highlight violence against Indigenous women, its causes and what is being done to end it.

WHO Isabel Caicedo Polanco, Organización Femenina Popular (OFP). A translator will assist.

Audrey Huntley, founding member, No More Silence

Caitlyn Kasper, Aboriginal Legal Services.

In addition to Toronto, Ms. Polanco’s Canadian tour will take her to Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa, November 23 – December 3. The tour is timed to coincide with the International Day to End Violence against Women (November 25). The United Nations has declared the period between November 25 and December 10, International Human Rights day, as 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. KAIROS is marking these days by joining with partners to host a speaking tour of women human rights defenders from Colombia and Canada.

The OFP is one of the most well-respected, resilient and effective women’s rights organizations in Colombia. For more than 44 years OFP has worked in Magdaleno Medio, a region that has

suffered human rights violations and violence as a result of the Colombian war. Their work includes accompanying marginalized women, defending human rights, and promoting peace. KAIROS has been in partnership with the OFP for more than 15 years.

KAIROS is organizing the tour with ally organizations working on Colombian issues, women’s rights, Indigenous rights and MMIWG. These include: Aboriginal Legal Services, Americas Policy Group, Amnesty International, Colombian Action Solidarity Alliance, Comité pour les droits humains en Amérique latine, Common Frontiers, Families of Sisters in Spirit, InterPares, Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network, Native Women’s Association of Canada, Nobel Women’s Initiative, No More Silence, Pauktuutit, Peace Brigades International-Canada, Projet Accompagnement Solidarité Colombie, Public Service Alliance of Canada, Quebec Native Women, and the University of Toronto.

About KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

KAIROS is a faith-based social justice organization of ten Canadian churches and religious organizations. It focuses on Indigenous rights, international human rights, gender justice and ecological justice. We deliberate on issues of common concern, advocate for social change and join with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation. Learn more: kairoscanada.org

Media Contact:

Cheryl McNamara, Media Coordinator

877-403-8933 x 246, 416-875-0097 (mobile), cmcnamara@kairoscanada.org


Filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Media Releases

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