Today marks International Women’s Day! This is a special day celebrated annually with different themes dedicated to not only the women’s rights movement, but also the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments made by women. This year, the campaign’s theme is “Balance for Better,” aimed to encourage others to play a part in accelerating gender balance to better the world. Although women have come very far with their accomplishments, there is a still lot of work to be done!
Speaking of women’s rights, this is also an exciting time for The Canadian Federation of University Women as this year marks their 100th anniversary!
Who is the Canadian Federation of University Women?
The Canadian Federation of University Women, also known as the CFUW, is a non-partisan, self-funded organization with close to 100 Clubs located across Canada, with at least one club in every province. They were founded in 1919 and have been working hard for the past 100 years to improve the status of women locally, nationally and internationally by promoting human rights, social justice and peace. The CFUW continues to enhance their role to promote social justice, gender equality and learning opportunities to women and girls.
Every year the CFUW has raised close to $1 million to provide women the opportunities to pursue post-secondary studies, along with learning opportunities and social interaction with like-minded women. Their vision is to ensure that we provide equal opportunities for women to access quality education in secure environments. They also aim to eliminate discrimination along with encouraging equal opportunities for leadership, employment, education and careers.
The CFUW also has a special consultative status with the United Nations where they send delegates to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. They are also the largest affiliate of Graduate Women International, representing women across the globe.
CFUW's International Women’s Day Fundraising Project
Every year leading up to International Women’s Day, CFUW Clubs across Canada work to fundraise for a project to contribute to women’s rights. The projects are based on the applications submitted by national and international organizations that support women’s rights.
For example, last year they proudly contributed to women’s organizations around the world by partnering with their strongest ally, the MATCH International Women’s Fund. Together, the clubs and MATCH International raised a total of $10,424! This year, CFUW clubs will be supporting the Inter Pares project, “Promoting Justice for Women in Antioquia, Colombia”.
CFUW's Their 100th Anniversary
In the past 100 years, the CFUW has made tremendous achievements in providing education for women and recognizing their human rights. As 2019 marks their 100th anniversary, it will be an opportunity to share their stories and the impact of their accomplishments for women in local, provincial and international levels.
How you can benefit
Joining the CFUW is a great opportunity for you to follow the “balance for better” initiative to improve the world for women. The clubs provide various opportunities for thought provoking discussion, lifelong friendships and intellectual stimulation. Your membership will add strength to their voice and contributions. By joining, you will make a significant difference to women’s rights across your community and the globe.
To celebrate their 100th anniversary, an Annual General Meeting will be held in Winnipeg from August 15-17, in which you can take part. This will be a lifetime opportunity for you to connect with like-minded women, gain insight on women’s issues today locally and internationally, and use it to advocate for improving the future of women and girls.
The future is female!