Advocacy
Advocacy is a fundamental part of the work of CFUW, advocating for the advancement of the status of women, human rights and the common good. For CFUW, advocacy has always included social and community action.
You don’t have to be a professional advocate to take action on big issues important to women and Canadians. There are many ways that you can contribute to the wellbeing of Canadians and promote Education, Equity and Social Justice, and Safe and Healthy Communities for women and girls. You can become an advocate for women’s rights in your community, by supporting organizations and campaigns, and urging leaders to take action!
CFUW’s membership passes Resolutions on the topics on which we would like to advocate. A full list of all Resolutions CFUW has passed from 1964 to today can be found here on the CFUW National Website. If you wish to act as a member of the public, these documents can provide information and ideas for areas in which to act.
In addition to our National CFUW Resolutions, CFUW Orillia also participates in reviewing resolutions proposed at the provincial level. A list of the Ontario Council Resolutions can be found here on the CFUW Ontario Website.
Below are some of the projects we have been working on locally.
Addressing the Funding Crisis in Post-Secondary Education in Ontario
The following resolution, presented by CFUW Orillia, was adopted by CFUW Ontario Council on May 24, 2025. This marks the first time CFUW Orillia has submitted a resolution at the provincial level.
Advocacy on behalf of the 68th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) Agreed Conclusions
A letter was sent by CFUW National President Joyce Hurst to encourage the Federal Government to take action both domestically and internationally on several conclusions presented at the 68th UN Commission on the Status of Women.
CFUW Orillia sent similar letters to Adam Chambers (MP), Jill Dunlop (MPP), Don McIsaac (Orillia Mayor), Randy Greenlaw (Oro-Medonte Mayor), Mike Burkett (Severn Mayor), Basil Clarke (Ramara Mayor and Warden of Simcoe County).
An acknowledgement was received from Adam Chambers (MP).
CFUW Orillia has selected Days for Girls Canada – Orillia Chapter to receive a donation from our International Charity funds for our 2024-2025 year.
Days for Girls provides safe, reusable solution to help manage menstruation. These beautiful Kits are delivered all over the world — along with vital health information.
To learn more about Days for Girls Canada click here. *** This link takes you away from the CFUW Orillia webpage
Advocacy Focus 2024-2025 - Menstrual Equity/Period Poverty
Advocacy Focus 2023 - 2024 - Reducing Maternal Deaths in Canada
CFUW Orillia focused our Advocacy efforts in 2023-2024 on a Resolution passed in 2023 to create a maternal death prevention strategy. The Resolution was proposed by CFUW Hamilton.
Towards a Comprehensive Maternal Death Prevention Strategy – 2023
RESOLVED, that CFUW urge the federal government to work with the provinces/territories to establish a similar program to the UK MBRRACE (United Kingdom Mothers and Babies; Reducing Risk Through Audits and Confidential Enquiries) model to collect and analyze consistent disaggregated and anonymized data about maternal deaths and close calls, and to share those data in confidential form with relevant groups (e.g. health care providers, policy makers, researchers, advocacy groups, members of the public).
RESOLVED, that CFUW urge the federal, provincial and territorial governments, along with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada and the Canadian Association of Midwives, to work together on a comprehensive maternal death prevention strategy. This strategy would promote awareness and best practices among health care providers around risk factors (e.g. age, ethnicity, race, income mental health issues, housing, education level, access to medical care), and enhance public education of patient populations.
December 6, 2024 - National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women
2024 marked the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre, a tragic event that claimed the lives of 14 women simply because they were women.
To honour their memory and raise awareness about the ongoing epidemic of gender-based violence (GBV), Green Haven Shelter for Women, in partnership with Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka, Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie, and CFUW Orillia, invited the community to a candlelight vigil, held at St. Paul’s Centre.
CFUW Orillia members walked from the Orillia Opera House to St. Paul’s Centre, allowing us to share our memories of December 6, 1989. The Candlelight Vigil was a moving tribute to all those who have been victims of Gender Based Violence.
Read the Orillia Matters article here.
Local educators taught about the perils of human trafficking
The Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board have unveiled new anti sex-trafficking protocols, which provide resources for teachers and parents, as well as curriculum for students.
The program was based on direction from the Ministry of Education that all Ontario school boards develop protocols that are tailored to the needs of their specific communities to keep students safe from sexual exploitation.
Read the full article in Orillia Matters
CFUW Orillia's Federal Government Petition for Strengthening Bail Laws for Repeat Offenders of Intimate Partner Violence.
In November 2022, CFUW Orillia worked with our Member of Parliament, Adam Chambers, to create a petition to strengthen the bails laws for repeat offenders of Intimate Partner Violence.
Between November 8 and December 8, 2022, 972 signatures were collected from CFUW members from across Canada. The Petition was presented in the House of Commons on February 14, 2023. The government tabled its response on March 30, 2023.
Intimate Partner Violence
In 2022, the Advocacy Committee of CFUW Orillia focussed on educating our members about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and advocating to diminish domestic violence.
The Video “Walk Through That Door“ is an impactful music video produced by Chilliwack’s Ann Davis Transition Society. The video won a Purple Ribbon Award through DomesticShelters.org – the first and largest online directory of domestic violence programs and shelters across the U.S. and Canada.
Trigger Warning for Intimate Partner Violence
We acknowledge that this content may be difficult to watch and encourage you to care for your safety and well-being.