SURREY – The South Asian Family Association and SFU Surrey celebrated the 98th International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8 in Surrey. Despite the weather warnings in the Fraser Valley, more than 800 people attended the event which consisted of a marketplace, live entertainment, a Change Maker Leadership Workshop and various panel discussions. The cultural diversity of the attendees including the large number of men that attanede was noted as being very positive and uplifting. The event was dedicated to all women for being goddesses in our lives.
More than 20 female icons from the South Asian and mainstream communities participated in four panel discussions (Empowerment & Education, Financial Health, Women in Media and Lifestyle: Health, Beauty & Wellness). SAFA thanks all of the panellists that participated through the course of the afternoon. : Surrey Clr. Barinder Rasode, educators Awneet Sivia and Dr. Gira Bhatt, lawyers Anne Chopra and Sonia Virk, Sooke Harbour Mayor Janet Evans, finance professionsals from Envision Credit Union Sheryl Elsom, Reggie Sahota and Raman Sahdra; media personalities Shushma Datt, RMP cpl. Dycki Basra, Dawn Chubai and Meera Bains and finally lifestyle panellists: Dr. Nirvair Levitt, Karol Ghuman N.P., Renu Walia R.N., Dr. Sharon Gurm and Harprett Dhaliwal. The panellists held down the microphones for more than 4 hours sharing their thoughts about opportunities and equality in th4e workplace, pay equity and balancing self fulfillment with the needs of a family.
The panel discussions were topped off by the opening keynote speech delivered by Senator Mobina Jaffer and capped by an exhilarating endnote by former BCTF president Jinny Sims. Flying into Vancouver just for the event, Senator Jaffer spoke about women’s equality in the workplace and pay equity. She also described the atrocities committed against women in today’s world and that rape and beating s were so commonplace in the Sudan, they aren’t even reported to police.
Jaffer ended her speech by requesting all to join her in making a difference in the lives of women and children by taking a stand against human trafficking. Likewise, Sims indicated that the Olympic celebrations dawning, that the intolerance towards escorting and prostitution has laxed which is highly inappropriate. Sims also issued a challenge to all attending the celebration to take a stand against human trafficking, especially in our own backyard. Both ladies also participated as panellists in the Empowerment Session
Meanwhile at the Marketplace, service providers from around the Lower Mainland gathered to provide information to all attendees. SAFA thanks the following organizations for spending their afternoon with them: The entertainment was provided by PCAC Girls Bhangra, Giddha Punjabna Da, Shez Khan and Shivangi Bhayana who was accompanied on the guitar by Paul Boparai.