For immediate release
March 3, 2012
Toronto, ON—For this year’s International Women’s Day, members of the Philippine Women Centre of Ontario (PWC-ON) call on everyone to celebrate women’s historic role in social change by heightening militancy and gathering at their forum titled “Taking the Revolutionary Road: Heightening Women’s Resistance Against Neoliberalism.” Organized in collaboration with the Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance of Ontario (UKPC/FCYA-ON) at York University and at the University of Toronto, the forum is set to take place on Thursday, March 8that York University and on Friday, March 9that University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. The forum also forms part of an educational series in anticipation of “Worker’s Struggles Amidst Neoliberal Globalization,” a worker’s conference to be held in August 2012.
In celebration of the working-class women who took to the streets towards the creation of the first-ever International Women’s Day, this forum hopes to advance the pivotal role that women play in creating history and to continue this legacy of resistance by confronting the present challenges that women face under neoliberalism. Through neoliberalism’s racist, anti-worker, and anti-woman policies, women are forced to absorb the burdens of an economy in crisis. This forum calls on all women to heighten their resistance as key contributors in creating and leading the movement for genuine change.
An empowering and dynamic line-up of speakers will surely enliven all participants to assert the rightful role that women play as leaders in paving the revolutionary road, one that will lead towards a true realization of a collective vision of their community’s full participation and entitlement within Canadian society. Cecilia Diocson is the Executive Director of the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC) and has been a tireless advocate for over 25years for the equality, development and human rights of Filipino women and the Filipino Canadian community. York University professor Rachel Gorman is a Marxist feminist scholar whose research is committed to advancing a critical analysis of race, class and gender, particularly in the areas of health and disability studies. Professor Tania Das Gupta also teaches at York University and her scholarship is dedicated to developing critical perspectives in the areas of: the South Asian diaspora, anti-racism, immigration issues and women, work and families. Evelyn Encalada is an educator, researcher and community organizer, whose PhD research focuses on the Mexican women’s transnational labour movement. She is also a co-founder of Justicia for Migrant Workers (J4MW), an award-winning political collective that has promoted the rights of migrant farm workers in Canada since 2001.
“Though we contribute immensely to Canadian society, women’s perspectives and capacities for change are generally marginalized and denied,” states Lydia Vamvouras, member of PWC-ON and UKPC@UofT. “Since there is a real need for our voices to be raised, we will bring our analysis and our histories of resistance to the forefront through this forum.” With the forum’s focus on heightening not only awareness but also knowledge of current policies, it invites all participants to create the necessary change to confront the impact of these policies on their everyday lives. For workers, youth, and women, it is time to bring out steadfast criticism against neoliberal policies, armed with the collective capacity to effect change, assert our rights for genuine settlement and integration, and to struggle for true equality.
“Taking the Revolutionary Road: Heightening Women’s Resistance Against Neoliberalism”
A forum to celebrate International Women’s Day
Thursday, March 8th, 6-8pm at 313 Student Centre, York University
Friday, March 9th, 7-9pm at 5250 OISE, University of Toronto
-30-
For more information, contact:
Qara Clemente or Charie Siddayao
(416) 519-2553
pwc-on@magkaisacentre.org
www.magkaisacentre.org
http://bit.ly/iwdrev