voices for change
Inside
Cover and Inside Photos: WASH Programming – South Sudan; Credit: John Ferguson Cover: Voluntary members of the Oxfam water and sanitation committee head into Jamam refugee camp to spread over the loud-speaker vital messages to young women about good hygiene practices and to distribute female hygiene kits, which include underwear, soap and sanitary cloth. Amani Silman Maujil, 22, WASH committee member and mother of three, says the water committee can be a bridge between Oxfam and the community. Inside: Children and women queue at the water points to pump water at the Jamam refugee camp.
VOICES OF HOPE
Jubilation and hope filled the hearts of many in July 2011. South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, was born after decades of fighting, despair and loss. The road to prosperity took a sharp detour in December 2013 when fighting broke out in Juba and quickly spread to many parts of South Sudan. More than 1,000,000 people fled their homes; some to within South Sudan and others to neighboring countries such as Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya. As a result, a lot of attention has been paid to the negative side of South Sudan’s ethnic groups and diverse cultures. While we need to investigate and make public all violations of human rights that are happening, we also need to shed light on the many people who went above and beyond to help those from ethnic groups different from their own.
These are the voices of those who went the extra mile. Their bravery and strength in light of the situation they faced is a testament to the extraordinary power of compassion, hope and the will to survive.
The right To pride Oxfam hosted a global delegation of partners during World Pride Week in Toronto 2014. Delegates from Cuba, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Vietnam participated in the World Pride Human Rights Conference to share experiences from their organizations’ work and to connect with other human rights advocates. Watch this powerful video from Oxfam’s partner - Centre for Research Innovative Communications and Services on Sexuality – about the changing attitudes in Vietnam.
Oxfam partners, supporters and volunteers marched in the parade and celebrated the important gains of LGBTI advocates around the world. Photo: Green from Aboriginal More Warren information canOntario be seen at HIV/AIDS Strategy with Oxfam Partner Mojalifa Mokoele from Sexual Rights Centre, Zimbabwe
A few months back you probably remember seeing the news stories about the abducted school girls in Nigeria. Unfortunately it is stories like this one that remind us just how important girls’ education is. Education is a critical tool to help promote equality for women and girls around the world. It’s essential in helping to bridge the issues of poverty and discrimination against women. In order to move forward, it’s crucial that girls’ education is protected and promoted by all means possible. All women, no matter their age, deserve an education which will provide them with all of the same opportunities that men are afforded. At Oxfam, women are at the heart of everything we do. According to Oxfam’s Nigeria Country Director, Chichi Okoye, conflicts like this one
This is why your support of Oxfam is so important. Your generosity is vital in helping to promote women’s rights and ensure that all girls have access to an education and a brighter future. “Sometimes it’s like people are used to it (rape). That it’s normal. Also, many think the person being raped is to blame, that they did something wrong and got raped.” Attitudes like this still exist in many communities around the world. And Oxfam is working hard to change this type of thinking. Oxfam recently won a 2014 Civil Society Innovation award for our work with Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust, which is working with teenagers in South Africa to help educate them about why rape is wrong. They work with peer leaders at schools to help bring change in their communities. One of these peer leaders said: “It is my responsibility to help them see that they are wrong in many things they think. It is not true that women are to blame for rape. We must change this.” Shifting attitudes around rape is vital in the fight for gender justice. Your support is ess ential in improving the lives of young people in South Africa and around the world.
At 19,341 ft, Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the largest volcanoes ever to break through the Earth's crust. Your challenge is to reach its summit.
Connect to your Oxfam community, share skills and get organized!
If you are planning an adventure vacation consider travelling to Machu Picchu or scaling the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro while fundraising for Oxfam!
This event for our supporters includes a networking reception, a full day of issue-based workshops and skill-building sessions; and a half day members-only session for communities to create action plans for fall activities.
Registration is now open for Machu Picchu, November 2014 and Mount Kilimanjaro, June 2015.
Registration is open mid-summer and the summits will take place in Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Saskatoon, Calgary and Vancouver. We are currently looking for volunteers to help organize the summits! Interested in helping out? Please contact Kelly Bowden, National Public Engagement Officer at (613) 237-5236, extension 2235, or by email Kelly.bowden@oxfam.ca.
Climate change &tony the tiger Climate change is the single biggest threat to winning the fight against hunger – yet two of the biggest food and beverage companies in the world are making climate change worse. Oxfam’s Behind the Brands campaign challenges Kellogg’s and General Mills to step up their commitments to the world’s poor and hungry by setting clear targets to reduce the emissions from the production of their products – including breakfast cereals and tasty pastries promoted by Tony the Tiger and his doughboy friend. Check out what these mascots have to say about the campaign
Behind the Brands is Oxfam’s campaign taking on the world’s biggest food and beverage companies. Be a part of the change by sending a letter to Kellogg’s and General Mills telling them to act now.
Summer is finally here, and MPs are back in their riding to enjoy social networking opportunities with their constituents. But, we both know that there is no holiday for international solidarity and the fight against poverty, and we know that MPs care about their electors’ concerns and priorities. This summer, take any opportunity you might have to let your MP know that you care about international issues, and that you expect Canada to play a positive role in the world. Check out Oxfam’s backgrounders and simple talking points to help you chat while meeting this summer. Not sure who your MP is? Follow this link to find out!
The Peoples’ Social Forum is aimed at fostering activist involvement of individuals and civil society organizations that want to transform Canada as it exists today. It is intended as a space for social movements to meet and converge, for the free expression of alternative ideas and grassroots exchanges and for artistic creations reflecting a diversity of demands and aspirations. Oxfam supports the People’s Social Forum as a national manifestation of the World Social Forum gatherings. More information at www.peoplessocialforum.org