WATERLOO REGION, Ontario – The Feminist Shift, a coalition led by YW Kitchener-Waterloo and YWCA Cambridge, officially launched today with an all-candidates survey focusing on gender-based issues in Waterloo Region.
The survey, presented to all federal election candidates throughout Waterloo Region was a collaboration among YW Kitchener-Waterloo, YWCA Cambridge, Coalition of Muslim Women, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASCWR), SHORE Centre ( Sexual Health, Options, Resources, Education) , Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region and ACCKWA (Aids Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo & Area).
“The whole impetus behind us partnering with YW KW to launch the Feminist Shift coalition was to get issues affecting women and gender diverse people on the agenda,” said YWCA Cambridge Executive Director Kim Decker.
“So this launch is timely in that it coincides with an election period. It meant we could literally challenge all candidates of all political stripes to think about these issues and remember the 51% of us that so often aren’t reflected in policy. Launching with the candidates’ survey was a natural first step for us.”
Kitchener-Waterloo CEO Elizabeth Clarke stressed the need for the coalition in the region: “There are so many organizations doing the work of supporting survivors of gender-based violence, and providing services to women and gender-diverse folks who still face systemic barriers in our community,” Clarke said. “But what we really need is to come together, share resources, and become one, collective voice seeking to shift the dominant narratives which enable gender-based violence to continue.”
In addition to the candidates’ survey, the Feminist Shift will also increase capacity through public education, organizing, position papers and digital advocacy. Find out more at thefeministshift.ca.
For more information: CEO of YW Kitchener-Waterloo Elizabeth Clarke, 519-576-8856 x105, Elizabeth.clarke@ywkw.ca or Executive Director of YWCA Cambridge Kim Decker, 519-267-6444 x 231, k.decker@ywcacambridge.ca
