Day one of global feminist congress centers around "Breaking Cycles" theme

4 July 2011, OTTAWA – To kick off four days of thematic and cultural programming, Women’s Worlds 2011 frames day one around the central theme “Breaking Cycles”.

“We know that as globalization becomes more and more entrenched as the new world order, women around the world are mounting impressive opposition to colonialism, capitalism, imperialism, and inequality,” says Caroline Andrew, co-chair of the global feminist congress, the 11th in a series which began in 1981.

Plenary, in-focus, and concurrent sessions scheduled throughout Monday speak to the “Breaking Cycles” theme by examining how geo-political, organizational, and financial structures play key roles in the perpetuation of women's inequality, the feminization of poverty, gendered and racialized violence, and other forms of women's subjugation.

Programmatic highlights for Women’s Worlds 2011 on Monday, 4 July:

  • Devaki Jain, feminist economist from India, Andrea Smith, American Cherokee activist, Monica Chuji Gualinga, Ecuadorian Kichwa leader address 2000 women from 91 countries at opening plenary session : 9:30-11am, Ottawa Convention Centre
  • Women’s Human Security: The Way Forward, 1-2:30pm
  • Hidden Gold of the North: Women Breaking Cycles of Inequality Through Microfinance, 1-2:30pm
  • How Federalism Affects Women’s Politics in Canada & Other Federations, 3-4:30pm
  • Breaking Cycles through Education: Stories from Determined Refugee Women, 3-4:30pm
  • Strategies for the Abolition of Prostitution, 3-4:30pm
  • War Rape in Eastern Congo: Silent Agendas and Structural Causes, 5-6:30pm

Photo highlights:

  • "Flesh Mapping : prostitution in a globalized world", presented by Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter and la Concentration des luttes contre l'exploitation sexuelle, features a live "global" discussion at 11:30am-7:30pm, 4-7 July, Terminus, Jock Turcot University Centre
  • Prominent Aboriginal youth activist Jessica Yee and singer-songwriter Kinnie Starr plus many more at Indigenous Fesminisms ROCK! panel, 7-10pm
  • Love Letters to Feminism – mail art from lovers everywhere

WW 2011 (www.womensworlds.ca) is an international and interdisciplinary congress that will explore how issues like equality, human rights, economics, labour, education, environment, and development relate to women. This is the largest gathering of women from around the world to ever take place in Canada and aims to enhance women's leadership skills and organizational capacity.

WW 2011 is co-hosted by Carleton University and the University of Ottawa.

- 30 -

Media credentials

Official program

For details and to arrange interviews:

Caitlin Kealey
Media Relations, Women’s Worlds 2011
caitlin@womensworlds.ca
(011 1) 613 818 7956

  • Français
  • Español
  • Share this