Somali Women's Circle Network (SWCN)
Monday, December 8, 2014
Here in Ottawa, on December 5th, the Somali Women’s Circle Network (SWCN) in Collaboration with the Institute of African Studies and Department of English and Literature at Carleton University hosted a social justice focused event entitled “I Matter, Gender Equity Matters”. This event was the fourth annual event on women’s issues sponsored by the SWCN. As well, it was the SWCN’s second commemoration of the 16 days of Activism to stop Gender Violence in support of the advocacy campaigns around the world which highlights awareness and galvanize grassroots actions to curb gender-based violence. The UN’s International Days to End Violence against Women begins on November 25, and ends on December 10th which is the International Human Rights Day.
Somali Women Circle Network is non-profit organization based in Ottawa, Canada, and its purpose is for strengthening Somali women’s role in their society; to raise and engage with emerging issues and/or concerns pertaining to women. SWCN’s vision is to create and support Somali women’s leadership for peace and prosperity; and to establish partnerships with and support Somali-women organizations and activists that are working to enhance and promote the quality of the lives of Somali women in and outside of the country.
Attended by over hundred people, the thematic focus of the night was women’s rights, and a number of women who were victims of violence were remembered including a recent case of Sahra Abdille and her children who were killed in Toronto by an abusive husband.
The Keynote Speaker for this event was Somali’s own world-renowned novelist Nuruddin Farah. Nuruddin Farah, through his writing, is an advocate for gender equity, particularly the rights of Somali women. Speaking on the theme of the night, Nuruddin addressed the need for Somali culture to change, and particularly Somali men to engage in a dialogue on the rights of women. He also denounced any violence against women.
The event also showcased the launch of the Basra Farah Fund for Women & Children; a non-profit organization established to honour sister Basra Farah. Ms. Farah was a Nutritionist, who was killed on January 17th 2014 in a terrorist attack at a restaurant in Kabul, Afghanistan, where Basra was working with UNICEF, for more information on the Basra Farah Fund please visit https://basrafarahfund.org, a separate statement on the launch will be coming out from the Basra Farah Fund Board of Directors.
Last, but certainly not the least, the event highlighted Nuruddin Farah’s latest book “Hiding in Plain Sight". This book deals with the theme of violence on the hands of extremists. And according to the New York Review of Books, Hiding in Plain Sight “explores the tensions between freedom and obligation, and the unexpected paths by which the political disrupts the personal”.
The evening concluded with prayers and commitment to stop gender-based violence.