Unite for 16 Days of Activism

How do you take action against gender-based violence?
Activism comes in many different shapes and sizes. It can be organizing a protest or having difficult conversation with a family member, it can be writing an article or standing up for someone on the bus. Whatever you do, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence are a time to galvanize your efforts.

This year, the UNiTE Campaign will mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence under the theme, “Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls” The theme reinforces the Campaign’s commitment to a world free from violence for all women and girls around the world, while reaching the most under-served and marginalized, including refugees, migrants, minorities, indigenous peoples, and populations affected by conflict and natural disasters, among others, first.

Campaign Goals

Sarasvàti Productions (from L to R: Associate Producer, Angie St. Mars; Artistic Director, Hope McIntyre; Administrator Intern, Samantha Lussier; Administrator, Gail Thiesen)

Sarasvàti Productions is thankful for the organizations in Winnipeg  who are dedicated to providing support for women escaping violence as well as working tirelessly towards eliminating violence in our community. We are looking forward these great community events.

NOV 24 – Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters invites you to An Evening with Margo Goodhand
Canadian Museum of Human Rights (85 Israel Asper Way) @ 5:30 – 9:30 PM
An evening of discourse with Margo Goodhand, author of Runaway Wives and Rogue Feminists. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available. There is no admission charge but space is limited, so please RSVP to Deena at maws@maws.mb.ca.

NOV 25 – Institute for International Women’s Rights Manitoba invites you to Getting Back Up: Resilient Women in the Face of Violence
Sudanese Community Centre Winnipeg (129 Dagmar Street) @ 1:30-4 PM
IIWR-MB welcomes a panel of 5 women leaders to share how they faced and fought against violence. Come for a day of education, solidarity, and celebration! This is a free event, with snacks included.
NOV 29 – Willow Place Inc invites you to Challenge to Change 
Fairmont Hotel – Wellington Ballroom (2 Lombard Place) @ 4-9 PM
This is an evening to gather innovative individuals to engage change in the practices that create systemic barriers from families moving away from violence. Come to discuss understanding family violence policies and practices that create barriers, and how we can better serve our diverse community.
Tickets: $35 ** Limited amount of free tickets available to students please email cynthiao@willowplace.ca

NOV 30 – Wahbung Abinoonjiiag Inc|Children of Tomorrow invites you to End the Silence, Stop the Violence
Meet at 225 Dufferin Avenue @ 5:30 PM
Join the Wahbung Team for a community Domestic Violence Awareness Walk to “End the Silence, Stop the Violence.” Meet, Smudge, Walk and then gather for soup and bannock. All ages are welcome! There will be raffle prizes! There is no cost to attend. If you have any questions or would like to help out contact Kelsey at EIWG@wahbung.org

DEC 6 – Manitoba Status of Women and the Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council Annual Sunrise Memorial
Rotunda of the Manitoba Legislative building @ 8-9 AM
This is a memorial to commemorate Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. There is no cost to attend.
RSVP to 204-945-6281 or email msw@gov.mb.ca
The colour orange will be a key theme unifying all activities, and buildings and landmarks will be lit and decorated in orange to bring global attention to the issue of violence against women and girls.

Share your photos, messages and videos with #OrangeTheWorld and #16Days.

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All the World’s a Stage this International Women’s Week

Hot off the heels of an incredibly successful community tour, our performers are ready to showcase this year’s line up of monologues this Saturday at the International Women’s Week Cabaret of Monologues: Starting Over !  We are proud to provide a platform for women’s stories, to promote equity on Canadian stages and to provide access to the arts.

We started off by taking the pieces that were created through community group story-sharing back to the groups of women who had helped us to create them. After well-received performances at Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba and Welcome Place, we set off to tour the wider community! Here are the great host groups, all amazing organizations worth checking out:

March 2 – Genesis House – Manitou, Manitoba
Genesis House exists so that people of South Central Manitoba will be free from family and intimate partner abuse achieving results that justify the relative worth. They provide a confidential service, which includes a shelter for abused women and their children, residential and non-residential programs and prevention through public education.

Getting ready to go!

On the way to perform for Genesis House at Manitou Opera House

Nalini Reddy performs “Diaspora” by Alka Kumar and Angie St. Mars at Manitou Opera House for Genesis House.

March 6 – UWSA Women Trans-Spectrum Centre
The Women-Trans Spectrum Centre is an accessible and inclusive resource centre for women and trans students on the University of Winnipeg campus. The centre is a great space to hang out, study, and build community.

Erica Wilson and Johanna Burdon checking out the performance space at The Hive

March 7 – North End Women’s Centre
The North End Women’s Centre is a community based organization that provides women with support, knowledge, and opportunity as they move forward on their journey towards independence and healthier lifestyle.

 

March 7 – Nova House – Selkirk, Manitoba
Nova House is a shelter for abused women and children in the Interlake Region of Manitoba. They provide temporary shelter, counseling, support groups, and referral to community resources for women and their children.

March 8 – North End Family Centre
The North End Family Centre is a community gathering place that provides a comfortable and safe environment for community members to connect and belong.

Anjalie Sandhu performing “Places that have no names” by Fauzia Rafique

Anjali Sandhu

Artistic Director Hope McIntyre introducing the performance

March 8 – U of M Womyn’s Centre
The Womyn’s Centre provides a feminist voice and safe space for womyn on campus. The members strive to create a place where women are listened to and recognized, and facilitate women as they gather the information they need to make informed decisions in their lives.

March 8 – Rainbow Resource Centre
Rainbow Resource Centre provides support, education, and resources to foster a proud, resilient, and diverse LGBT2SQ+ community.

March 9 – Agape House – Steinbach, Manitoba
The mission of Agape House-Eastman Crisis Centre, Inc. is to empower women and children experiencing family violence by providing safe shelter, information, counseling, and ongoing support.

Reena Jolly, photo by Janet Shum

Cherrel Holder, photo by Janet Shum

March 9 – Mount Carmel Clinic
Founded on the belief that everyone has the right to accessible health care, Mount Carmel Clinic goes the extra mile to help clients connect with the services they need—in their homes, workplaces and neighbourhood.

March 9 – St. John’s Library
In addition to offering the services of a public library, St. John’s Library offers an array of free programs and workshops for all ages.

March 10 – St. Aidan’s School, Aberdeen Campus
St. Aidan’s School Aberdeen Campus is a Grade 6-10 school, primarily focused on at-risk kids, and presently serving kids from about ten nations – Cree, Tanzania, Metis, Kaska, Canada, Eritrea, Congo, Ojibway, Ethiopia, Burundi.

Erica Wilson, photo by Janet Shum

Nalini Reddy, photo by Janet Shum

March 10 – IIWR-MB
IIWR-MB is an organization open to all individuals, as well as organizations that have an interest in promoting women’s human rights.

March 12 –The Association of United Ukrainian Canadians
The Association of United Ukrainian Canadians is a progressive Organization with strong and durable roots in the people and history of Canada.

March 19- Manitoba Storytelling Guild
The Manitoba Storytelling Guild supports and promotes the art of oral storytelling throughout Manitoba.

Melanee Deschambeault, photo by Janet Shum

Sarah London, photo by Janet Shum

Johanna Burdon, photo by Janet Shum

A great big thank you goes out to Manitoba Status of Women and the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. Without them, this Cabaret would not be possible. Special thanks to Neighborhoods Alive! and NERI for supporting our North End performances.

Join us for a performance of the full line-up, and a lobby full of visual art on the theme of ‘Starting Over’ at the International Women’s Week Cabaret of Monologues, March 11, 2017.