Women In Crisis holds International Women’s Day celebration with ‘Each for Equal’ theme (7 photos)

“For many women around the world, it’s a privilege just to speak their mind, to answer their true calling and to be their true selves.” 

That from Farah Ayaad, keynote speaker at Friday’s Women In Crisis International Women’s Day celebration held at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. 

Ayaad contrasted those privileges enjoyed by women in Canada with oppressive conditions faced by women in many other countries.

At times overcome with emotion during her speech, Ayaad, in a call to action, said, “all women in this room and outside are responsible to stand together for women’s rights to equal opportunity, equal rights, education and employment.” 

Ayaad has come a long way.

Half Jordanian, half Palestinian, Ayaad was raised as an only child by a single mother, facing racism and bullying at school for her identity and beliefs.

After receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award, at the age of 16, for her volunteer work in the U.S. as an exchange student, she came to Canada at 19 to study, graduating from Algoma University’s Community Economic and Social Development program with honours.

While at Algoma, she served as the student union’s vice president, receiving the Algoma University Student Humanitarian Award.

Now a permanent resident of Canada, Ayaad has worked at the Sault Community Career Centre as a resettlement counsellor for the past three years, helping newcomer refugee families settle in the Sault.

Women In Crisis (Algoma) provides free temporary emergency shelter and support services 24 hours a day, seven days a week for women who have or are experiencing abuse and violence.

“I think some of the problems are shifting...there has always been abuse and violence toward women and unfortunately that continues to be an issue but we’re seeing a lot more struggles with addictions and mental health struggles. Those can definitely exacerbate the situation,” said Sarah Paciocco, a Women In Crisis sexual assault and abuse crisis counsellor, speaking to SooToday.

“I think we’re always struggling to have more resources, we could always use more, but the staff at Women In Crisis go above and beyond to make it work with what we have (in Sault Ste. Marie),” Paciocco said. 

“We work with women where they are in their lives,” said Jenna Van Hoek, who, like Paciocco, is a Women In Crisis sexual assault and abuse crisis counsellor.

“A woman could present with many different situations and we take it from there. We are also a referral agency so if for some reason it’s not something Women In Crisis can help them with we make sure we find another agency that can help them with whatever their situation is (such as Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, medical or mental health agencies),” Van Hoek said. 

Friday’s International Women’s Day celebration at the Bushplane Museum included lunch purchased by Women In Crisis from The Grand Gardens, Farah Ayaad’s speech, a performance by the Jewels of the Oasis belly dancers, songs from the Healing Lodge singers and a rendition of the Alicia Keys song Superwoman by Angela Miller (a former Women In Crisis staff member).

This year’s Women In Crisis event’s theme was ‘Each for Equal.’

“We still need equality. That’s the biggest piece of why these events keep happening,” Van Hoek said. 

“It’s striving for equality for everyone, all across the board. This is all over the world. Internationally we’re still seeing countries where women don’t have rights like we have here in Canada. There's still that fight, we still have a long way to go. We’re very fortunate to have what we do have here, but we still have a lot of work in Canada, in North America to do,” Paciocco said. 

International Women’s Day takes place Sunday, March 8.