Welcome!

The St. John’s club of the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW St. John’s) consists of approximately 110 women, throughout the City of St. John’s and the surrounding area, who meet regularly for learning, enjoyment, friendship and fun.

We are active in supporting higher education for women and in advocating for the rights of women and children. We welcome women who share our vision in the pursuit of education and human rights.

We have something for everyone. We invite you to explore our website to discover what interests you.  Here is our latest Annual Report.

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THE GREAT BIG BOOK SALE WAS A GREAT BIG SUCCESS!

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS, TO ALL THOSE WHO DONATED BOOKS, AND TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS WHO BOUGHT THEM!!

SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!!!

UP-COMNG EVENTS

General Meetings are open to interested members of the Public.

May 9, 2023 General Meeting, 7:30 pm

                     The Alexander Murray Building of Memorial University (The Earth Sciences Building),

                      Room 4065

Guest Speakers: Alison Edwards, Carolyn Stacey

Topic: Digital Education: Lessons Learned & Innovations Introduced

June 13, 2023 Annual General Meeting and Dinner, 6:30 for 7:00 pm

                        Capital Hotel, Kenmount Rd.

September 30, 2023 Open House, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

                        The Lantern, Barnes Rd.      

Guest Speakers: Sr. Elizabeth Davis & a member of the Health Accord Task Force Committee on Aging Population TBA

Topic: The Health Accord – Overview and Update, with focus on Aging in Our Community and Social Determinants of Health

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INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and it is the beginning of 16 days of activism that end on December 10th, International Human Rights Day.

What are the forms of violence against women? How can you get involved in its elimination?
According to the United Nations: Violence against women and girls (VAWG), one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today, remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.
In general terms, it manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms encompassing:
• Intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape,femicide);
• Sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted
sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment);
• Human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation);
• Female genital mutilation; and
• Child marriage.

To further clarify, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

What can you do to put end to Violence Against Women?
You can speak out to bring attention to this problem and condemn such violence. As a member of Violence Prevention, Avalon East, and as one of 98 CFUW clubs across Canada, CFUW St. John’s supports all efforts to put an end to violence in all its forms and encourages members of the public to do the same. Preventing and addressing violence against women requires a broad spectrum of actions that starts with our inner circle of friends and family and goes all the way to our local, national and international governing institutions.
You can act to support those impacted by gender-based violence. Visit the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador website to look for concrete suggestions on how to talk to someone who is being abused or who is abusive. In particular, search for Tips and Tools. https://www.gov.nl.ca/vpi/

You can support your local Women’s Shelter. Each month CFUW St. John’s provides several “New Beginnings Baskets” with household items to women and children leaving Iris Kirby House to set up new apartments. These are very well received.

You can support local vigils that bring attention to the issue. Dec. 6th is Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women and is the 30th anniversary of the massacre of 14 young women at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. Each year Memorial University holds a ceremony to commemorate this event. CFUW St. John’s contributes to two national CFUW scholarships presented annually in commemoration of this event.

You can support local or national organizations that act to help those who have been victims of violence. For example, CFUW St. John’s supports the We Care Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador that provides scholarships, to girls in North-eastern Nigeria, many of whom were kidnapped from their school by Boko Haram militants and later rescued.

There is much to be done. Please take action now.

Contact Information:  E- mail: Cfuwstjohns1@gmail.com