ADVOCACY
CFUW encourages its members to use their education and expertise to bring about change, with particular reference to women’s issues such as violence against women, early learning and child care, quality education, economic prosperity and the empowerment of women as leaders and decision-makers.
CFUW also works on a global level for the adoption and implementation of international agreements that will protect and benefit all women and girls. CFUW holds special consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC) and regularly sends a delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
Over the years, CFUW has taken a stand on innumerable social issues based on our policies (i.e. adopted resolutions).
CFUW also works on a global level for the adoption and implementation of international agreements that will protect and benefit all women and girls. CFUW holds special consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC) and regularly sends a delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
Over the years, CFUW has taken a stand on innumerable social issues based on our policies (i.e. adopted resolutions).
In Kelowna local advocacy initiatives have included the following over our sixty-year history:-
EDUCATION
CLIMATE CHANGE & POLITICAL ELECTIONS
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
EDUCATION
- Organized 25 years of Capsule College, (public lectures)
- Proposed and organized a career night for High School girls (which later became the Career Fair at Okanagan University College)
- Advocated for the establishment of Okanagan University College
- Hosted School Trustee information night for School District #23 trustee elections
CLIMATE CHANGE & POLITICAL ELECTIONS
- Partnered with the City of Kelowna for a public presentation on climate change
- Hosted a public meeting on proportional representation for the first referendum
- Hosted several federal and provincial election forums with partners: Community Action Towards Children's Health Coalition (CATCH), B C Retired Teachers' Association (CORTA), and federal retirees
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
- Applied for and received grants from the federal and provincial governments to initiate a study on secondary suites and prepared a 'How To..' book
- Partnered with B C Teachers' Federation (BCTF) to advocate for Homes for All
- Became members representing CFUW Kelowna in Journey Home, (Kelowna's plan to end homelessness in the city)
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
- Became members representing CFUW Kelowna in CATCH
- Worked locally and provincially with the Aging out of Foster Care project, including becoming knowledgeable about Foundry, The Bridge and the Boys and Girls Club
- Advocated for $10/Day Child Care, joining rallies and walks and distributing literature
- Worked with the local and provincial Poverty Reduction Coalition
- Wrote letters supporting the child labour law that increased the age at which children can work from 12 to 16
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
- Worked with partners to present the December 6th vigil remembering the Ecole Polytechnique Massacre, and the missing and murdered women and girls in the Central Okanagan
- Worked with the national office to identify sexual violence in post-secondary institutions. This initiative resulted in new policy being legislated.
- Worked with the University Women's Club of Vancouver (UWC) to investigate prostitution and human trafficking in our area, (which was presented by the UWC to the federal Minister of Justice)