OUR
HISTORY. Canadian
Voice of Women for Peace (VOW) has
been a major part of the Canadian women’s
historical landscape for almost 50 years.
Founded in 1960, our NGO (Non Governmental
Organization) is composed of a diverse
network of women across the country and
around the world that enables women to
speak out and advocate for world peace,
equality and social justice.We advocate
for the full inclusion of women in decision-making
at all levels within our global society
and tirelessly work towards a world free
of war and a global sustainable culture
of peace.
We
develop peace education training seminars,
leadership building skills workshops, and
conflict resolution instruction. Since
our humble beginnings, we have been organizing
women’s and peace-related conferences
and roundtables. We are grateful for the
dedication and commitment of our members
that has enabled us to continue our work
in the struggle for peace and equality.
VOW
has been affiliated to the United Nations
since the 1970’s. In 1997
we gained consultative status with ECOSOC,
the Economic & Social Council division
of the United Nation and are accredited
to the UN’s Department of Public
Information. /
More...
ON
BEING NOMINATED for the MILLENNIUM PEACE
PRIZE for WOMEN. When
nominated VOW, Rosalie Bertell, Grey
Nun of the Sacred Heart said: "From
the outset, the organization's philosophy
has been one of inclusiveness and outreach
to other women, refusing to accept labelling
of other women as "enemy." They
espouse and practice peacebuilding through
cooperation. Their record speaks of the
mobilization of women, and public and
governmental education."
VOW
REFERENCED at CANADIAN SENATE DEBATE
(24 March 2004) Former
Senator and Member of the Order of
Canada, Hon. Douglas Roche called
the attention of the Federal Senate
to the historical role of women and
the challenges faced by modern women
legislators to advance peace and human
security. Referring to VOW,
he said, "Women
in Canada and around the world are
recognizing that peace is in their
direct interest and are taking a leading
role in resolving conflict. The Canadian
Voice of Women for Peace, formed in
1960, played a leading role in promoting
disarmament and reconciliation... in
petitioning the government not to accept
nuclear weapons on Canadian soil. How
right the Voice of Women was then and
now in the opposition they and like-minded
groups displayed toward the recent
Iraq war."
Our
humble VOW beginnings started in 1960
when women across Canada were
alarmed about the threat of nuclear war
and how nuclear testing was endangering
their children's lives. Lotta Dempsey
wrote columns in the Toronto Star asking
women to write to her if they were willing
to “do something” about this
imminent danger. Hundreds replied. Four
women, Jo Davis, Dorothy Henderson, Helen
Tucker and Beth Touzel met with Lotta
Dempsey and shortly thereafter "The
Voice of Women" was established.
Within months, thousands of women joined
VOW that began to receive newsletters
urging women to form small local groups
to keep in touch with one another and
to encourage all their female friends
to join and unite for world peace.
It must
be noted that this was during a time that
most women were deemed as “housewives” and
voicing their concerns and taking proactive
steps to create positive change was almost
unheard of then. Women began to meet regularly,
wrote letters urging parliamentarians to “stop
the nuclear madness” and found their
way to the grounds of Parliament Hill on
the "Peace Train" to meet with
elected officials. Over the years, our
work has embraced peacebuilding to include
human rights, social justice, sustainable
development, and women’s empowerment
that includes a woman’s right to
be heard, respected and treated equally
and equitably.
Historically,
women have come a long way since VOW was
formed almost half a century ago, but there
is so much more work that needs to be done! Join
VOW in our quest for sustainable peace.
To
learn more about our VOW milestones
over the past half century, please
click here... |
