Virtual Forum Overview
Looking Within: Anti-Black Racism and the Gender-Based Violence Sector in Canada
This Forum brought together the voices and insights of Black activists, advocates, academics, artists, and service providers from across Canada for a series of dialogues about complicity and accountability in the GBV sector on issues of anti-Black racism.
Through a series of virtual panel discussions, participants were invited to “look within” the systems, organizational practices, and ideologies they take part in. Each session explored various dimensions of anti-Black racism, with discussions aimed at informing transformative, strengths-based, practical changes within the GBV sector.
The Forum took place over three days from January 18 to January 20, 2021.
Now what? Beyond statements of solidarity
In this session, participants learned about how white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and state violence have come to shape both gender-based violence and the gender-based violence sector in Canada. Panelists discussed why violence against Black women and children must be understood within this broader context, and how this awareness is essential for informing accountability within the gender-based violence sector.
Presenters: Dr. Rachel Zellars and Hirut Melaku
Moderator: Nneka MacGregor
Opening Ceremony: Myrna Kicknosway
Anti-Black Racism and Service Provision in the GBV Sector
This session focused specifically on how anti-Black racism directly impacts service provision in the gender-based violence sector. The session invited participants to reflect critically on the ways that gender-based violence work can be more accountable to Black survivors of violence. Listen as leading experts address challenging issues relating to the practices and policies within our sector.
Presenters: Dr. Jacqueline Benn-John, Abi Ajibolade, Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, and Sophia Sahrane
Moderator: Yamikani Msosa
ASHE: Arts, Spirituality, Healing, and Embodiment
This interactive workshop offered a simple embodied practice for healing through the Arts. The facilitators, Ravyn and Kyisha, shared experiences of their embodied practices. The hope is to inspire a conversation that will open participants to new ways of healing and activism, which address anti-Black racism at its core. Allowing participants to reckon with their responsibility to eradicating white supremacy and anti-Black racism.
Presenters: Ravyn Wngz and Kyisha Williams
Moderator: Esther Enyolu
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