CFUW advocates for women’s equality in Canada and abroad. We are concerned with a wide range of social and public policy issues important to women such as: violence, education, the environment, peace, aboriginal issues, social justice, human rights, etc.

CFUW advocacy is guided by the policies (resolutions) voted on by CFUW members every year at our Annual General Meeting in June. These policies come from the grassroots of our organization and are the result of extensive research, debate, and consultation.

Advocacy can be defined as:
“the act of pleading for, supporting, or recommending; active espousal” Random House Dictionary, 2013
“public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy” Oxford Dictionaries, Oxford University Press
“active support, especially of a cause” Collins English Dictionary, 10th ed., 2009

Advocacy is about influencing people and institutions – particularly decision makers (political, corporate or organizational) and the general public to support a cause or a course of action. It’s about change.
It’s about helping people – as an advocate for an individual person requiring access to supports and services, or as an advocate for a cause affecting a number of people.

Where Do Advocacy Issues Come From?

A local need in our community that has been brought to your attention (e.g. need for increase in Palliative beds)
A concern elsewhere (e.g. widespread homelessness in Canada fuelled by poverty and the lack of adequate social housing and mental health supports).

Requests from CFUW National or Provincial Council which come via email with template letters or suggested actions through the CFUW Week in Review, or CFUW News and Updates.

Committees or individuals in the CFUW P/Q can forward any concerns or issues they would like to pursue to the Advocacy committee who can then assist with developing resolutions and further action.