How many women peace activists are in the world? Are we very few? Are we enough to overcome the advocates of war?

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2 YOUNG PEACE MAKERS JOIN VOW AT CSW Last summer a group of passionate young women participated in VOW s Peace Maker summer camp. They emerged as empowered agents for change - ready to make their voices heard! Their dedication to promoting the culture of peace and advancing women s human rights came through when they joined VOW at the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in March. We are pleased to introduce some of their voices in this newsletter. How many women peace activists are in the world? Are we very few? Are we enough to overcome the advocates of war? When I attended different events and workshops planned by women s organizations across the globe, I realized that there are enough of us to overcome war and militarism. We need to work together to bring peace and abolish all wars. That is why I advise all women peace activists to be at the CSW and meet other women like them and build a network of like-minded advocates dedicated to peace. Adrienne M. Kalamba Yusur, Adrienne, Kasha and Marla VOW PEACE MAKER REFLECTIONS Yusur Al Bahrani Being at the Commission on the Status of Women for the first time was a great experience. Prior to my trip to the United Nations, I was excited to attend the official meetings. I thought being at the UN headquarters was great, but I was surprised to see that there are greater things beyond being there. It is very important to be a voice of peace at the UN, but what s more important is to hear other voices of peace from around the world. I attended some official meetings to get a sense of how the UN meetings are organized, but later I chose to be around women committed to peace building. Many of the women I met are facing extreme challenges, yet are very dedicated to making our world a better place. I don t want to name any of the amazing women I met, it would be unjust, for I met many wonderful women from various regions of the world, all of whom deserve equal credit and respect. As an activist living in Canada, I sometimes feel overwhelmed. There are times in which I have the following monologue replaying in my mind after our VOW meetings and events: Among dates that will awaken in me tender memories and unique sensations for the rest of my life will certainly be March This date marks my trip to New York City to attend the United Nations 57th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This year s priority theme for action was the elimination and prevention of violence against women and girls. Although my stay was short (4 nights), I learned much. I made connections with girls, a few men and many women of different ages, cultures and professions. This event was more than a networking opportunity, it was a real eye-opener - motivating, inspiring and empowering at the same time. The first event I attended was the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Consultation Day on March 3rd. Sitting in this big conference room with all these people made me confirm that this earth is just one big village wherein a good action has numberless positive effects and brings peace while a violent action creates pain, suffering and affects us all. I learned three important things from two prominent women s speeches: Soon Young Yoon, Chair of the NGO CSW Committee and Michelle Bachelet, (Article continued on page 3) 2 I VOW REPORT SPRING 2013

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4 Toronto and Ottawa, as well as hosting an information picket in Halifax. There were actions taking place in a hundred cities around the world from Kenya to Japan. VOW is calling the Canadian government to reduce military spending and to redirect funds to action on poverty and climate change. (Article continued from page 3). In the political arena Aboriginal women may be underrepresented, but many are leading the way in the area of healing the wounds of colonization. In small, informal circles and large healing conferences attended by thousands, women are grappling with missing and murdered women, and all kinds of abuse and violence, and drug, alcohol and other addictions. Their learning sets an example of wellness for their people that involves a return to the respectful traditional culture where women were respected for their equal contributions. Let us heed the call from our First Nations, Inuit and Metis sisters, their families and their youth, who are awakening us to join the movement. GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION ON MILITARY SPENDING (GDAMS) Monday, April 15th was the Global Day of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS). This year is the third anniversary of this campaign to raise awareness of the rise in military budgets and the failure to meet urgent environmental and social needs. The day coincides with the release of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute s annual report on world military expenditures and Tax Day in the United States. Last year, countries spent $1.7 trillion combined on their militaries, yet refuse to provide adequate funding to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The current budget of the Harper government does not reflect the priorities of Canadians. The federal government spends approximately $22 billion on the Department of National Defence but only $1 billion on Environment Canada. The government plans to spend $25 billion on new warships, $16 billion on new fighter jets, and $1 billion on armed drones. However, Canada is one of the few developed countries that does not have a National Affordable Housing Strategy and a National Early Learning cut or eliminated funding to over 30 programs that have benefited women since VOW is urging the federal government to invest our tax dollars to create a society and an economy that is equitable, green, and peaceful. The International Peace Bureau in Geneva leads the GDAMS campaign with the support of partner organizations, including VOW. On the 15th, VOW supported events in 4 I VOW REPORT SPRING 2013

5 FEDRAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING From the Public Accounts of Canada.Volume II Table Please be sure to sign the online petition against these attack drones at Environment Canada $1,632,021,000 National Defence $22,783,420,000 LOOKING AHEAD In June, we are launching the I VOW 4 Peace video contest through the youtube.com website. It is open to women across the country. Submissions are due September 21, 2013, the International Day of Peace. In May, to honour Mother s Day for Peace, we will post the video contest information on Facebook, Twitter, the website, and in the e-bulletin. Stay tuned! VOW has pledged to support the Global March for Peace and Unity, scheduled to take place September 21, 2013 worldwide. For more information please visit: Please sign the petition on our website: DRONES At last year s annual general meeting, the VOW passed a resolution to oppose the purchase and use of armed drones by the Canadian military. The Canadian military has used unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) in its operations in Afghanistan but they were not weaponized. Last August, it was reported by the media that the Department of National Defence wants to spend $1 billion to buy UAVs with the ability to carry precision-guided munitions. Last year, journalist Murray Brewster of the Canadian Press, reported that the federal government is interested in buying three weaponized Global Hawk drones built by U.S. defence contractor Northrop Grumman for Arctic surveillance. As well, the University of Victoria received federal funding for a UAV project at its new Centre for Aerospace Research. VOW members in British Columbia are concerned with the military s application of this research. organized by a diverse network of individuals that believe in a world without war, oppression, and environmental exploitation. GMPU is organizing a peaceful march for peace and unity on the International Day of Peace, September 21, Please join VOW women from across Canada to march for peace and unity. GMPU needs city level organizers, event speakers, and Facebook and Twitter admins. Please send GMPU Canada a message if you are interested in participating as a volunteer. Also, if your organization is interested in endorsing the event, please us: gmpu_can@riseup.ca Website: Facebook: GLOBAL MARCH FOR PEACE AND UNITY CANADA This March, VOW supported Ceasefire.ca s campaign Be Heard on March 3rd to send letters expressing our opposition to attack drones to the leaders of all the political parties. Ceasefire has raised alarms that the military s Joint Uninhabited Surveillance and Target Acquisition System (JUSTAS) will include the procurement of weaponized Predator and Reaper drones in the Arctic and overseas. VOW REPORT SPRING 2013 I 5

6 Visit our website: for more information. To find out how you can see your support in action, please contact Sandra Ruch, VOW Coordinator, or phone: VOW COORDINATOR Sandra Ruch Ontario Peace camp summer 2012 PEACE MAKERS SUMMER CAMP Thanks to a very generous grant from the CAW- Social Justice Fund we are offering four summer camps across Canada this summer. The camps are for young women ages Participants will be asked to commit to volunteering with VOW over the next year and to help in organizing an event on their campus or in their community. Preference will be given to applicants who anticipate staying involved. Participants may receive some additional funding support to participate in the VOW AGM and conference in November and/or to attend the United Nations Com mission on the Status of Women in New York City in March. We invite young women from a diversity of backgrounds to apply. What matters most is your interest in raising your voice for peace! CAMP PROGRAM INCLUDES: peaceful future VOW BOARD Lyn Adamson, ON, Co-Chair Janis Alton, ON, Co-Chair Madelyn McKay, BC, Secretary Diane Shynkarenko, ON Treasurer Tamara Lorincz, NS Sandy Greenberg, NS Brigid Grant, NB Judith Wouk, ON Tiffany Goskey, ON Marilou McPhedran, MB Hannah Hadikin, BC Jan Slakov, BC NEWS LETTER CONTRIBUTORS: Tiffany Goskey, Sandra Ruch, Tamara Lorincz, Hannah Hadikin, Janis Alton, Yasur Al-Bahrani, Adrienne Kalamba, Dunia Hamou, Janet Apea. CANADIAN VOICE OF WOMEN FOR PEACE 7 Labatt Avenue, Suite 201 Ci, Toronto, ON, M5A 1Z1 Phone: us at info@vowpeace.org Or visit us online 6 I VOW REPORT SPRING 2013