On International Human Rights Day, YWCA Canada continues to champion self-determination and liberation, at home and around the world. As a member of the World YWCA movement active in more than 100 countries, we are deeply connected to global issues affecting women, children, and marginalized communities. Our core values, our advocacy efforts, and our work are rooted in social justice that does not stop at national borders.
As we witness growing threats to human rights worldwide—including war, genocide, state violence, political upheaval, and systemic attacks on gender equity—we stand in solidarity with our colleagues who are responding to crises and injustices in their communities. We honour the work that YWCA staff do every day to advocate for the human rights of women, youth, and gender diverse people across:
- YWCA Haiti
- YWCA Lebanon
- YWCA Palestine
- YWCA South Sudan
- YWCA Aotearoa, New Zealand
“When human rights and lives are under threat, we have a responsibility to raise our voices and be part of an international public conscience. As a global movement, we have done this many times before, and we will continue to do so.”
– Aline Nizigama, National CEO YWCA Canada
