VIU Faculty Association Women's & Gender Equity Committee

🌈🏳️‍🌈Happy Pride Month!🏳️‍🌈🌈

It's time to celebrate! Be yourself and visit one of the many spaces that are welcome to everyone - your local library!

Check out http://virl.bc.ca/pride-month for more great reads that inspire you to be yourself!
Or visit your local branch and check something out...
Find your nearest VIRL at http://virl.bc.ca/branches

Transgender Day of Visibility
Join the Positive Space Alliance in celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility on March 25 at VIU's Malaspina Theatre (bldg 310), from 12 to 1:30 pm. Together we’ll celebrate transgender, non-binary and genderfluid people with the VIU community to positively embody gender identity. This is an open mic-style event and a safe space. Do you want to contribute a poem, song or simply share your thoughts? Please email [email protected] to let us know what you would like to share and send us an introduction for yourself.

Transgender Day of Visibility

Join the Positive Space Alliance in recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility on Monday, March 25. Gather in the Malaspina Theatre lobby from 12 to 1:30 pm. Together we’ll celebrate transgender, non-binary and genderfluid people with the VIU community to positively embody gender identity.

Upcoming event sponsored by the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators:

March 8 International Women's Day tomorrow at VIU:

Events | Vancouver Island University | Canada Everyone is welcome to attend this year’s International Women’s Day event on Friday, March 8 at VIU. It’s a day to celebrate women’s and girls’ achievements, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity. This year’s international theme is Inspire Inclusion....

All are welcome to attend this year’s International Women’s Day at VIU! On Friday, March 8 join us in the Royal Arbutus Room, upstairs in bldg. 300, the upper cafeteria.

Drop by for all or part of our scheduled activities, which feature:

11:30-2pm info tables and light refreshments
12-12:30pm guest speakers
12:30-2pm facilitated workshop on Healthy Relationships
more mingling with VIU Catering goodies and beverages

Here's some International Women's Day info about events and research at VIU:

Dr. Whitney Wood is VIU’s Canada Research Chair in the Historical Dimensions of Women’s Health. She is currently researching pelvic health histories to help address gaps and inequities in care. She is available to chat about this topic and women’s history/women’s health/gender and health in general.

https://news.viu.ca/viu-researcher-examining-pelvic-health-histories-help-address-gaps-and-inequities-care

History Professor Dr. Cheryl Warsh is currently writing a book about Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey. Frances Oldham Kelsey, born on Vancouver Island and one of Canada’s first female pharmacologists, prevented the deadly sedative thalidomide from entering the American market. As a result, she was one of the most famous women in the world in 1962. A pioneering researcher in the field of embryology, she also oversaw the regulation of other drugs that harmed pregnant women and their fetuses, including diethylstilbestrol.

Nanaimo author and VIU Creative Writing Professor Susan Juby’s latest book, A Meditation on Murder, has cracked the top 10 of several bestseller lists. The book was listed at No. 10 in the Toronto Star, No. 9 in the Globe and Mail, No. 6 in the Vancouver Sun international bestsellers and No. 10 in Canadian Fiction in independent bookstores. A Meditation on Murder is the second book in the Helen Thorpe, butler-detective series and the sequel to Mindful of Murder. Juby is available to discuss her latest book.

https://susanjuby.com/

Everyone is welcome to attend this year’s International Women’s Day event on Friday, March 8 at VIU. It’s a day to celebrate women’s and girls’ achievements, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity. This year’s international theme is Inspire Inclusion. Canada’s theme is Invest in women: Accelerate progress.

The VIU event runs from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm in the Royal Arbutus Room, Building 300 above the upper cafeteria, at the Nanaimo campus. Drop in an enjoy guest speakers, light refreshments and a Healthy Relationships workshop facilitated by Tanile Gaib (from 12:30 to 2pm).

The event is a collaboration between the VIU Faculty Association’s Women’s and Gender Equity Committee, VIU Thrive, the Positive Space Alliance and VIU’s Sexual Violence Training, Education and Prevention committee.

VIU researcher examining pelvic health histories to help address gaps and inequities in care | News | Vancouver Island University | Canada Dr. Whitney Wood received more than half a million dollars from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to pursue her study.Studies on women’s health tend to focus on reproduction. Vancouver Island University (VIU) researcher Dr. Whitney Wood believes this has led to gaps and inequities in care...

There are multiple events in our community that celebrate International Women's Day and aim to . Our Vancouver Island University event happens in the upper cafeteria (bldg 300) Royal Arbutus Room. We have light refreshments, guest speakers, and a facilitated session on Health Relationships too.

https://social.viufa.ca/
https://www.viufa.ca/international-womens-day-2024-at-viu/

Getting excited about International Women's Day next Friday, March 8! is this year's theme.

All are welcome to attend this year’s International Women’s Day at VIU.

On Friday, March 8 from 11:30am-2:30pm our campus and Nanaimo community members are invited to join us in the Royal Arbutus Room, upstairs in bldg. 300, the upper cafeteria.

Drop by for all or part of our scheduled activities, which feature: info tables and light refreshments from 11:30-12pm, 12-12:30pm guest speakers, 12:30-2pm facilitated workshop on Healthy Relationships, and then more mingling with VIU Catering goodies and beverages.

Our speakers include faculty and students, musicians, and poets, all on the topic of Inspiring Inclusivity, the theme of this year’s IWD. https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Our facilitator for the Healthy Relationships is Tanile Gaib, who will lead a friendly and interactive session. https://www.tanillegeib.ca/

This event is a collaboration between the VIU Faculty Association’s Women’s and Gender Equity Committee, VIU Thrive, the Positive Space Alliance, and our Sexual Violence Training, Education and Prevention committee (STEP).

Violence and harassment should never be "just part of the job." But the stark reality is, gender-based violence and harassment is on the rise, particularly for women, 2SLGBTQI+ workers, Black, racialized and Indigenous workers and workers with disabilities.

The disturbing surge in hate is putting workers at risk. But it doesn’t have to be this way. This year, the federal government formally signed on to a global treaty aimed at ending workplace violence and harassment. Now, it's time to turn their support into action.
Tell your MP that you demand action for a safer world of work.

7 in 10 workers experience violence or harassment. Everyone deserves to feel safe at home, in the community & at work, and ILO Convention 190 would help make that a reality. It's time for Canada to ratify it

All are welcome at our Dec 6 vigil event next Wednesday from 12-1pm at Vancouver Island University's Malaspina Theatre (bldg 310). We'll have guest speakers including our new Dean of Arts and Humanities Dr. Claire Grogan, student poets, and tribute songs. The presentations will be followed by a walk of solidarity to VIU's Jardin de Quatorze, which commemorates the lives lost in the 1989 Montreal Massacre.

Gerald Walton, Professor in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University and editor of The Gay Agenda: Claiming Space, Identity, and Justice, offers an argument about coming out that moves beyond the usual. What if it were not just a finite decision or moment in time? On National Coming Out Day, Dr. Walton imagines what it might mean for everyone to come out, regardless of gender or sexual identity.

When:Wednesday, Oct 11, 2023, 3:00PM - 4:00PM
Attendance: Offline/In-Person
Location: Nanaimo Campus
Building: 200
Room: 203

Gerald Walton is a sociologist by training. The focus of his 18-year career is exploring privilege to build equity for marginalized groups of people in society. He identifies as an insider and outsider at the same time, drawing on both for activism toward social and institutional change.

Winner of teaching and mentorship awards and recognized especially for his scholarship on bullying, Walton also co-authored the 2021 book, Being boys: Shaping gender norms to weaken r**e culture.

Positive Space | Vancouver Island University | Canada Addressing Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity[caption align="right"][/caption]The Positive Space Alliance seeks to raise awareness of diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity and to challenge the patterns of silence that continue to marginalize t...

Happening today at 3:00 PM in B200, R203!

VIU prof in Women and Gender Studies comments in this article about the anti-SOGI and counter-protests.

Community organizes counter-protests against anti-LGBTQ+ movement On Wednesday, anti-LGBTQ+ protests are planned across the country and people are organizing counter-protests.

Sisters in Spirit is October 4, a day to bring awareness and to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people, support grieving families, and create opportunities for healing.

VIUSU invites everyone to gather in the quad outside of the Library at 9:30am where we will provide a welcome. Join us in singing the Women’s Warrior Song as we walk together to the Royal Arbutus Room for a ceremony (top floor of Bldg. 300 - upper cafe). Listen to impactful words spoken by local women and feel moved by Indigenous songs and drumming. Coffee, tea, juice, and bannock will be provided.

All VIU students, staff/faculty, and community members are welcome to join.

Co-organized by VIUSU’s Indigenous Students’ Representative, Leah Vaisanen, and VIUFA Decolonization, Reconciliation, and Indigenization Committee Chair, Georgina Martin.

https://www.viusu.ca/events/ayaacfqoc8gk34lxvtngw8homu84o6

Sisters in Spirit — VIU Students' Union October 4th is a day to bring awareness and to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people, support grieving families, and create opportunities for healing.

This site has excellent resources to support organizing a Sisters in Spirit event this October 4, and a growing list of events in communities across Canada:

Native Women's Association of Canada - Native Women's Association of Canada October 4th is a day when we honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse+ (WG2STGD+) people, support grieving families, and create opportunities for healing. The violence experienced by Indigenous WG2STGD+ people in Canada is a genoci...

Drag in the Theatre event coming up on Wed Oct 4! Artists have been confirmed! Get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/drag-in-the-theatre-tickets-713248815407?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwAR2iTFLaj2PZxHneNLtFQqoJ4X4CjvIrYKGPHsEqM8yx-E0r-iLdEukUpaY

Equality is the foundation from which everyone can all lead healthy, happy and fulfilling lives. From eliminating discrimination and harmful stereotypes to preventing gender-based violence, advancing gender equality contributes to a higher quality of life for everyone. Find valuable policy and statements on the benefits of gender equity here: https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/en/commemorations-celebrations/gender-equality-week/advancing-gender-equality.html

Happening now, and our Nanaimo campus quad is full of info booths and activity.

WHO? You and me and all our friends!
WHAT? Climate Action Fair at VIU
WHERE? VIU Nanaimo Campus Plaza in front of the VIU Library
WHEN? Thurs Sept 21, 2023, from 1130 am -130 p.m.

WHY? BECAUSE COLLECTIVE ACTION IS POWERFUL!

As global climate change accelerates, it is becoming clear that its negative impacts, which we once thought would take place far in the future, and in other parts of the world, are happening in the here and now. BC is already seeing extreme weather throughout the year, and most recently in this summer’s record-breaking forest fire activity.

Do you feel anxious about this? Are you angry? Do you need more tools and information to help you figure out how to respond? Come connect with other climate activists in the VIU community and get more involved.

Sept 17-23 is Gender Equity Week in Canada, and shows our commitment to inclusivity and equality by recognizing and celebrating the diversity within the country. Gender Equality is a strength in building a fair country and a strong future!

A message from our union colleagues at the BC Federation of Labour

JUST RELEASED: In the face of hate, BC's labour movement stands in solidarity with trans people. Here is our statement and call for action on the anti-trans rallies planned for Wednesday, September 20. https://bcfed.ca/statement/no-space-for-trans-hate

From the statement:

"It is outrageous that these organizations use the well-being of children as a pretext for hate. They are notoriously silent when it comes to the real needs of children, including decent, affordable childcare; a well-funded public education system; living wages and higher income and disability assistance rates for parents; affordable housing for families; and action to ensure a livable world for future generations. And they show no concern for the mental health of the trans kids and teenagers harmed by their hateful portrayal of trans people."

Orange Day in the Bay. September 30th, 2023 11am-5pm at HUDDLESTONE Park in Lantzville.

Please see below poster for more details.

Wonderful to see all these smiling faces on campus! Especially this week, because September 17 to 23 is Canada's Gender Equality Week. This year’s theme is, "United for Gender Equality: Stronger Together", reflecting our dedication to inclusivity and equality.

Statement in support of LGBTQ2S+ students, staff and families 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Vancouver Island University (VIU) strives to be a welcoming space for all, defined by equality and free from discrimination and hate.

LGBTQ2S+ students, staff and families are valued members of our community, and we are here to support you. We will continue to work to ensure your campus experience is free from harassment, hate and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.