Stigma & Violence in Mental Health – Should We Disconnect the Dots?

Stigma against mentally ill persons is a major problem and has increased in incidence. Multiple studies have suggested that the perception of violent behavior by seriously mentally ill individuals is an important cause of stigma. It is also known that treating seriously mentally ill people decreases violent behavior. Therefore, the most effective way to decrease stigma is to make sure that patients receive adequate treatment. Stigma can lead to discrimination. Discrimination may be … [Read more...]

Gender Violence Addressed in Iraq

Baghdad, Iraq – The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) has established a partnership with UN Women and UNFPA to improve the safety, protection and well-being of women and girl survivors of gender-based violence in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Building on existing structures and ongoing gender mainstreaming efforts, the new partnership will contribute to increasing access to quality gender-based violence protection services, such as mental health and psychosocial support, … [Read more...]

Gendered Racism: A Double Edged Sword for Black Women

Gender bias and racism is not an exclusive issue to black women; yet, in honor of Black History Month our focus of reference in this article will be through the eyes, experiences and history of our truly powerful Black Women. History in America has not changed much and a perfect example of what Black Women have tolerated is shown in history when the U.S. Congress ratified the 19th amendment, which ruled that women could not be denied the right to vote because of their sex. The 19th … [Read more...]

UN Women, First Regular Session 2017 – FEB 14

Documents for the first regular session of the UN-Women Executive Board, on 14 February 2017. Advance copies of session documents are posted here and on the PaperSmart portal in the original language, and are replaced by official documents once available. AGENDA In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. In doing so, UN Member States took an historic step in accelerating the Organization’s … [Read more...]

The Facts About Violence Against Women

Is poverty a problem in a well-off country like Canada? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Especially for Women. Although Canada is a relatively wealthy country, about 1 in 10 Canadians are living on a low income, and 1.5 million of those living on a low income are women. As the infographic below shows, the incidence of poverty is even higher for particular groups of women. There are two main reasons women tend to be poorer than men: 1. They spend more time doing unpaid work … [Read more...]

MISS WORLD CANADA, Moni Ogunsuyi – VOTE TODAY!

Monisola Ogunsuyi also known as Moni was born on March 24th, 1994 in downtown Toronto. She is of Nigerian decent and proud of her Nigerian-Canadian culture. Growing up was very hard for Moni and at times she almost thought it was impossible. She grew up in a very violent and toxic home and suffered from depression and anxiety because of it. At the ages of 16 and 17 she was also sexually assaulted and has been a survivor of domestic violence as well. She has been on her own since she was 16 … [Read more...]

Celebrating Ruth Garrett Taking Action, The Gilda’s Club

Ruth Garrett has spent most of her adult life in the field of transformation and change, both personal and working with others, individually and within organizations. She is an author of five books on subjects such as resilience, creating the life you desire, emotional intelligence, self-discovery and having effective difficult conversations. Her work in self-leadership, emotional intelligence, resilience, conflict resolution and positive psychology enables individuals to passionately and … [Read more...]

Gender and Women’s Mental Health

Gender disparities and mental health: The Facts Mental illness is associated with a significant burden of morbidity and disability. Lifetime prevalence rates for any kind of psychological disorder are higher than previously thought, are increasing in recent cohorts and affect nearly half the population. Despite being common, mental illness is underdiagnosed by doctors. Less than half of those who meet diagnostic criteria for psychological disorders are identified by doctors. Patients, … [Read more...]

Mental Illness, a very ‘taboo’ subject in Islam

Mental Health is an issue needing to be addressed in all communities and all countries in our world today. Below is just one story shared from a community that is plaqued by Stigma, in the realm of acceptance of 'Mental Illness' as a medical condition: "I have always struggled to talk to my family about my mental health problems openly because I was scared I would not get the support that I need but obviously when you live in the same house, you cannot hide it from them. I live with an … [Read more...]

How Safe Are Your Children from Human Trafficking?

Warning: This post is one of the most important we’ve ever featured, but it isn’t the easiest to read. Anti-human trafficking advocate, Deirdre Flynn, interviewed Holly Smith, a survivor and author, about her experience as a victim of the sex industry. The story is below. Envy is often what makes our children vulnerable to predators. Pimps and slavers promote discontent. They fill immature minds with dreams of the exciting and glamorous life others are living. A life that has been out of … [Read more...]

Iraq: Isis warns women to wear full veil or face punishment

Sunni insurgents issue guidelines in mosques on how clothes should be worn to prevent women 'from falling into vulgarity' 'Anyone who is not committed to this duty and is motivated by glamour will be subject to accountability.' Photograph: Ali Al-Saadi/AFP/Getty Images Islamic State (Isis), the al-Qaida offshoot that seized large swathes of northern Iraq last month, has warned women in the city of Mosul to wear full-face veils or risk severe punishment. The Sunni insurgents, who have … [Read more...]

Battered Women, “It’s in Your Hands”

Battered Women’s Support Services is making an impact one woman at a time. We contribute to the freedom and liberation of girls and women from violence and to empower our community through training and education programs. For over 30 years, we have been providing counselling and healing spaces for those who have experienced abuse. To help women build strength and resiliency, we work on systemic advocacy, law reform, in-class youth engagement programs and we operate a social enterprise … [Read more...]

2014 Partners’ Forum – Johannesburg, (June 30/July1)

Violence against Women Intimate partner and sexual violence against women Introduction The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life." Intimate partner violence refers to behavior by an intimate partner or ex-partner that … [Read more...]

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