NWAC Participates in Status of Women Conference at United Nations in New York City

NWAC PARTICIPATES IN STATUS OF WOMEN CONFERENCE AT
UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY

March 13, 2018

OTTAWA – (ON) – The President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is in New York City this week for the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. President Francyne Joe and a small delegation are presenting at this important event to ensure the voice of First Nation, Métis and Inuit women are included in discussions leading to safer and healthier lives. The theme of the 62nd session is, “Challenges and Opportunities in Achieving Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Rural Women”.

This Commission will include side events featuring Indigenous representatives from across Canada, the United States and Mexico. President Francyne Joe stated, “When we bring people from many Nations together, we discuss the issues plaguing Indigenous women in hopes of finding solutions.

Unfortunately, the issues that affect Indigenous women in Canada are also prevalent in other Nations. The magnitude of bringing leaders from several countries together at the U.N. is indicative of the profound nature of these concerns.”

The Government of Canada, the United States and Mexico co-hosted a side event on the Status of Women entitled, “Barriers to Justice for Indigenous Women and Girls in North America”. The side event took place Monday, March 12, 2018 at the Canadian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City with the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minster of Crown-Indigenous Affairs attending. NWAC President Francyne Joe will speak on behalf of NWAC and stated, “There are common threads Indigenous women living in remote areas of North America share. Bringing the Indigenous women leaders together to discuss solutions is critical.” President Joe added, “Violence against Indigenous women is the direct result settler colonialism and the systemic problems with colonial systems continues to disenfranchise Indigenous women. Limited access to basic services, poverty, precarious housing and lack of employment opens Indigenous women up to ominous obstacles. Culture is essential and is a critical part of the solution. Further funding and investment is required to create spaces for Indigenous women to lead and decide for themselves what they need.”

The 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women will continue throughout the week and include Canadian participation in events titled, “Advocates and Auditors: The New “A-Team” for Gender Equality”, “Violence Knows no Borders, “Empowering Women & Girls” and “Engaging Men & Boys”.

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The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women. NWAC is an aggregate of thirteen Native women’s organizations from across Canada and was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1974.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joël Lamoureux – Media Relations Officer – 613-722-3033 X100 – Cell 343-997-1354 jlamoureux@nwac.ca

WWW.NWAC.CA

Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) – 1 Nicholas Street, 9th Floor – Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7

613-722-3033           1-800-461-4043