We Are Your Sisters! & South Asian Women’s Centre Presents

We Are Your Sisters! & South Asian Women’s Centre Presents YOGATHON 2014

WE ARE YOUR SISTERS • A campaign is aimed at supporting the fight against rape, human trafficking and violence against women • 3 main objectives: • Support and Rehabilitation • Facilitate dialogue • Bridging the economic gap www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

WAYS : Yogathon 2013 www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

In 2013, the Yogathon raised $10,000 CAD for Prajwala, a women’s shelter in India which helps rescue and rehabilitate women who have been raped or trafficked www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

In India alone, over 200 thousand women and children are inducted into the flesh trade every year… • 1 in every 4 rescued is a child • 60% of these children are HIV positive. - Prajwala (2014). Trafficking www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

Parjwala’s Rescue and Restoration Program (RRP) • Four-fold objectives: • Rescue missions • Providing crisis counseling at police stations • Conducting home investigations • Supporting the judicial process: • In 2014: • 124 cases were booked against traffickers • 288 traffickers were arrested • 138 victims were rescued through Crisis Counseling Centers • 196 victims were rescued in collaboration with local police authorities - Prajwala (2014). Rescue www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

Sex trafficking in women and children is one of the fastest growing areas of national and international criminal activity. It is a multi-billion dollar industry, and has created complex criminal networks… - Prajwala (2014). Trafficking www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

In 2014, WAYS is partnering with the South Asian Women’s Centre to provide support for women and girls in Canada as well www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN’S CENTRE • A voluntary non-profit women's organization run by, and for South Asian Women • Purpose is to increase self awareness of South Asian Women and to empower women to develop their social and cultural potential • A place where South Asian Women of all backgrounds and ages can access a variety of programs and services: • Settlement Services • Violence Against Women Program • Group Programming : Senior; Wellness and Youth • Forced Marriage & Human Trafficking • Tax Clinic • Legal Services www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

SAWC’s Work • In 2013: • 15,000 clients served • 30,000 units of service www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

“… has made older immigrant women from racialized communities “invisible” to society… create(ing) fear of poverty, loss of social status at home and in the community, loss of self-esteem, and stress.” -The Wellesley Institute (2010). Older Women’s Perceptions Of And Responses To Abuse And Neglect In The Post-Migration Context. www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

SAWC Women’s Groups SAWC groups provide support to women and girls facing barriers because of gender; ethnicity and the Immigration process Empowering women and supporting them in their growth! www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

Computer Literacy Program www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

Immigrant women may be more vulnerable to domestic violence due to economic dependence, language barriers, and a lack of knowledge about community resource. - Canadian Women’s Foundation resources (2014). www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

SAWC celebrates International Women’s Day www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

On average, every six days a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. In 2009, 67 women were murdered by a current or former spouse or boyfriend. - Canadian Women’s Foundation resources (2014). www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

PAY IT FORWARD GALA NIGHT www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

In just one year in Canada, 427,000 women over the age of 15 reported they had been sexually assaulted. Since only about 10% of all sexual assaults are reported to the police, the actual number is much higher. - Canadian Women’s Foundation resources (2014). www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

HOW CAN YOU HELP??? www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

Participate in this year’s YOGATHON • Raise money for a good cause while getting fit, having fun and meeting other people as passionate about change as you www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

Toronto October 18th: waystorontoyogathon.causevox.com Ottawa October 19th: waysottawayogathon.causevox.com www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

Funds raised in the Yogathon will go to supporting much needed services to women and girls! www.sawc.org www.weareyoursisters.com

For more information please visit: www.weareyoursisters.com/events/ Or www.sawc.org

We Are Your Sisters! & South Asian Women’s Centre Presents