Identities, barriers, sex, & sexuality on tap for day three of global women's congress

6 July 2011, OTTAWA – Intensive programming at Women’s Worlds 2011 today will cover such timely issues as cultural and sexual identities, political spaces, barriers to access, and empowerment of girls and women. The central theme of this third day of the global feminist congress is “Breaking Barriers”.

“So many lines continue to divide us, which is ironic considering how globalization is intended to bring us closer together,” says Caroline Andrew, co-chair of the congress, the 11th in a series which began in 1981.

“Hundreds of sessions today showcase how women are leading the charge for a redefining of boundaries – political, geo-political, economic, sexual/gender, academic – in ways that promote women's equality, leadership, and security.”

Programmatic highlights for Women’s Worlds 2011 on Wednesday, 6 July:

  • Australian academic Raewyn Connell, Canadian Inuit leader Mary Simon, Muslim activist Malika Hamidi of Belgium, and Obama’s special advisor on disAbility rights, Judith Heumann speak to “Breaking Barriers” at a morning plenary session, 9:30-11am
  • Transnational Women Breaking Cultural and Knowledge Barriers: Identities, Culture, and Work
  • Research and Academic Collaboration Between South and North: Breaking the Barriers
  • Representations of Muslim and “Diasporic” Women in Western Society and Pop Culture
  • Breaking the Barriers to Maternal Health
  • Feminism: The Other "F" Word?
  • Breaking the Mould – Girls, Cities, and ICTs
  • The Feminization and Criminalization of HIV/AIDS

Photo highlights:

  • Alanis Obomsawin – celebrated Quebecoise filmmaker – Q&A with audience at screening of films, 7pm, SAW Gallery
  • Abigail Disney – filmmaker and philanthropist – Q&A with audience at screening of her documentary, “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”, 7:30pm, Freeman Hall
  • “Loveliest Girl in the World” – Nordic Reception and exhibit viewing, 5:30-7:30pm, Old City Hall

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

  • Share this