Show Notes
Bob Jonkman chats with Margaret Walker of CFUW and Fadhilah Balogun of African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region about the upcoming Vigil for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Margaret and Fadhilah also talk about gender-based violence, how it affects our communities, some available resources for women facing gender-based violence in Waterloo Region, how men can help as male allies. Margaret tells us about the books CFUW has published, and Fadhilah gives more background on the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region.
The interview starts at 4m02s.
Previous interview with CFUW: 17 April 2023: The CFUW Book Sale with Rowena Samuel and Alison Watson
CFUW Online:
- Website: https://www.cfuwkw.org/
- Twitter: @CFUWKW | Twitter
- Facebook: CFUW K-W | Facebook
- Instagram: @cfuwkw | Instagram
- YouTube: CFUW K-W | YouTube
- E-mail: cfuwkw@gmail.com
African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region:
- Website: https://afrowomen.ca/
- Twitter: African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region (@WomenRegion) | Twitter
- Facebook: African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region (@afrowomen.awawr) | Facebook
- Instagram: African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region (@afrowomen_kw) | Instagram
- E-mail: outreach.afrowomen@gmail.com
- Phone: +1-519-578-9570
Upcoming Events
-
Vigil for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
- When: 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Wednesday 6 December 2023
- Where: St. Columba Anglican Church
- Location: 250 Lincoln Road, Waterloo Map
- Website: https://www.cfuwkw.org/post/december-6-vigil-national-day-of-remembrance-and-action-on-violence-against-women
Podcast
Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-12-04-episode147-December-6th-vigil-with-Margaret-Walker-and-Fadilah-Balogun.mp3 (52.9 MB, 55m04s, episode 147)
Index
Time | Title | Album | Artist |
---|---|---|---|
0m00s | Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc |
CKMS Community Connections |
Steve Todd |
1m00s | Stuck In The Middle |
(single) |
Red Output |
4m02s | Fadhilah Balogun introduces the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region. Margaret Walker tells us the reasons for having a vigil on 6 December, and explains what gender-based violence is. Fadhilah provides some statistics on gender-based violence. The pandemic has made the issue worse — the shelters and services were shut down, women could not leave, men were staying in the house as well so there was more stress in the home. Fadhilah explains that gender-based violence crosses across all demographics: culture and race, geographic location, economic status, &c. There are some women with the financial capacity to flee violence, but that’s mostly not the case. | ||
16m29s | Over You |
(single) |
Shelley Hayes |
20m40s | Margaret gives the details of the December 6th vigil. The main purpose is the remember the fourteen women. Bob can remember the name of the perpetrator, but does not know the names of the victims. Margaret says that’s common, but these days the press avoids naming the perpetrator. But Fadhilah says that the movie business still glamorizes violence and serial killers. After the victim remembrance there are speakers, including Fadhilah, Fran Pappert-Shannon of the KW Unity Mosque, and Sarah Casselman of the Sexual Assault Support Centre Waterloo Region. The vigil takes place in the sanctuary of St. Columba church. Margaret Walker is the priest at the church, so that provides her an “in”. The church provides support in a number of ways, including a food bank. | ||
27m35s | December 6th is the actual date, the 34th anniversary of the attack. It is now the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Margaret reminds us that it is not just a day of remembrance, but action. The action is coming to learn about the issue of violence against women, how the violence is affecting the communities, and how to deal with it. Fadhilah says that it’s important to put faces to the issue, which helps us take action. We can localize our actions; Toronto is not the same as Waterloo Region. Even in Waterloo Region there are different needs for the rural areas than the urban areas. | ||
33m13s | Margaret points out that we need to get more men involved, having male allies tell their male colleagues what is unacceptable behaviour. Men may be reluctant to speak to violent men, but there are programs in how to be an ally; for example, the Sexual Assault Support Centre has offered courses in Bystander Training. Margaret says allies can influence others in locker room talk, objecting to sexist jokes, &c. Fadhilah says that men tie that behaviour to their masculinity. That perception needs to be broken. Keep an eye on the Groups and Workshops” page on the Sexual Assault Support Centre‘s website. | ||
39m11s | Margaret has brought some books with her, Women of Waterloo County (now sold out, but available at the library), and a pair of other books, Proudly She Marched, two editions, one on the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, and the other on the Naval Service. These two books can be bought directly from the CFUW. The proceeds of that go towards funding scholarships for people in high schools, St. Louis Adult Learning centres, and local colleges and universities. | ||
44m50s | Forget You |
(single) |
Avalon Stone |
48m05s | Margaret recaps the time, location, and purpose for the December 6th vigil, and gives information about the CFUW and the advocacy they perform. Fadhilah gives some more background information on the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region. | ||
54m04s | Bob gives the end credits. |
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Bonus Video
YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday, 4 December 2023
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