Stephen Lewis made me an activist for social change. I had never been ignorant about the existence of gender inequality and violence against women in the world, but attending a speech last year made me passionate to make change happen. Stephen Lewis is the most powerful speaker I have ever experienced. He speaks about his work in an extremely captivating [...]
Sparkfest is Back – 9th May, 2013
Sparkfest is back! SWOVA and the Pass it On program are producing their annual benefit concert event on Thursday May 9th in the Orchard Room at Harbour House. Following last year’s inspiring show highlighting female performers sharing their art and stories to inspire and connect all of us, this year’s benefit runs on a similar [...]
Jimmy Carter’s Stand for the Rights of Women
“The justification of discrimination against women and girls on the grounds of religion or tradition, as if it were prescribed by a Higher Authority, is unacceptable.”
In an article by former United States president Jimmy Carter, he explains why he has left the Baptist Church. If only more people in the public eye would speak out as he has done.
Read the full article [...]
My Time in the Youth Team – by Cole Smith
Incredible Youth Led Conversations About the Violence Behind Amanda Todd’s Death – By Blake Peters, Cole Smith and Kevin Vowles
Whether violence happens in our community, our province, or in another part of the world it affects us. Sometimes it is particularly difficult for young men to acknowledge violence; to recognize that there is a very real and serious problem. Recently though, male students at Gulf Island Secondary School (GISS) did just that. At a Salt Spring Women Opposed to [...]
Young Women’s Leadership Program Starting in the Southern Gulf Islands – By Andria Scanlan
Despite advances over the years, girls in Canada face pressures today, both new and old, that limit their potential. The barriers that young women face translate into startling gender disparities.
- Men outnumber women 4 to 1 among Canada’s elected representatives
- Only 4% of CEOs in Canada’s top 500 companies are women.
- 2/3 of minimum wage workers are women.
SWOVA [...]
International Women’s Week – Smoothies for SWOVA
March 3rd to March 9th is International Women’s Week. Friday March 8th is International Women’s Day. Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day 2013 is Working Together: Engaging Men to End Violence against Women.
Rawsome Living Foods Cafe and Juice Bar is recognizing the important work of [...]
Intentional Mentoring – by Kate Maurice
The Beloveds – by Christina Antonick
This following image was chosen by the Obama campaign to be the image that came up when they declared their victory in November. It went on to become one of the most liked photographs of all time (it was an image actually taken last August).
Someone commented that it was an interesting choice – [...]
Video Response to Shootings of Children, by Kevin Vowles, R+R Adult Facilitator
Dear friends, colleagues, fellow peace activists and change makers,
I have been working for days on a series of videos- my response to the violent shootings of children in Newtown, Conneticut, and the lack of discussion about culture and gender based violence. I would ask that you click on the link below and take [...]












