On Sunday, September 25, 2022, SAWIS held its AGM for 2021-2022. Attached are the meeting minutes for the event.

South Asian Women’s and Immigrant Services (SAWIS – also known as South Asian Women’s Rights Organization SAWRO) is organizing a town hall and all-candidate forum for community members living in Scarborough Southwest (Ward 20) and Beaches-East York (Ward 19).

We are inviting community members, activists, academics, political representatives, and other stakeholders to talk about the upcoming city elections. The discussion will provide information and raise awareness about the municipal democratic process to support residents’ informed decision-making. The event will feature discussions led by community women leaders, youth activists, and equity activists on key issues faced by racialized low-income immigrant women and community recommendations for equitable and inclusive city policies on:

• Childcare
• Housing
• Decent work and Health Services
• City social and recreational services
• Transportation
• Community safety

Webinar ID 876 8917 0878 (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87689170878)

Link for event live stream: https://fb.me/e/1XpaosFWZ

For more information, please contact or visit SAWRO Office.

South Asian Women’s Rights Organization (SAWRO)
416-686-0701, 647-857-9153
sawro.office@gmail.com, http://www.sawro.org

SAWRO would like to announce that three of our community women leaders are taking part in the Leading Social Justice Fellowship Program offered in partnership with the United Way Greater Toronto and the University of Toronto, School of Cities.

The community leaders, Syeda Sabiha Yesmin Shapla, Kishower Emma Laila, and Amena Husna Sweet will focus on building leadership capacities of precariously employed Bangladeshi immigrant women experiencing gender inequity in the Canadian labour market in the East Danforth neighbourhoods of Toronto. This includes generating awareness among community members and escalating structural issues for systemic changes by introducing new policies and reforming the existing policies.

“Our aim through this fellowship is to bring to light issues faced by migrant workers, involved in the precarious sector. Being armed with work experience in the human service sector, we have first-hand experience of race-based discrimination, therefore, using this platform we hope to help community women realize their full potential to live the promised Canadian life and raise the collective consciousness of those at the decision-making table.”

“This fellowship will help us to hone in our leadership skills, build community capacities, and help build confidence through institutional support. The fellowship will also offer us the invaluable opportunity to build and deepen networks and connections with other community partners and driven individuals working around immigrant settlement issues. Through this virtual learning format, the team will also be able to enhance technological capacity to communicate and motivate through online platforms and adapt with the changing times.”

South Asian Women’s and Immigrant’s Services (formerly SAWRO)

416-686-0701

sawro.office@gmail.com

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we inform our members, advisors, and supporters that our dear friend Jim Nugent passed away around midnight on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Jim was diagnosed with lung cancer in its advanced stages. Our deepest condolences and love for Christine Nugent, his lifelong partner, his sons, and the rest of the Nugent family.

His life is remembered and celebrated by his family, friends, and comrades as a revolutionary who literally embodied the values of emancipation and liberation. Throughout his life, he was a tireless activist supporting working-class struggles everywhere – from union organization and advocating for injured workers, to fighting for and organizing against global injustices. In everything Jim did, he dedicated himself to fighting the oppressions faced by workers everywhere. In his words, “an injustice against one is an injustice against all!”

It was this dedication that made him a strong advocate of working-class immigrants living in the East-Danforth neighborhoods of Toronto. He understood the injustices and indignities that troubled our community members. He was also deeply committed to supporting community-led efforts to defend the rights of vulnerable community members.

Jim became involved in the efforts to support marginalized immigrants living in our community through SAWRO. During his time with us, Jim served as a volunteer and Secretary/Treasurer. In his role, he was a steadfast mentor who truly believed in the leadership and potential of immigrant women to solve our community’s problems. He constantly supported the organization to gain knowledge, capacities, and resources to lead the community forward.

We fondly remember Jim’s role in the organization’s daily activities. In addition to his role as the Secretary/Treasurer, Jim provided support in various capacities for our service activities, public education, mobilization campaigns, and social and cultural events. For many of our community members, he was a reliable and supportive individual who touched many lives as a friend and a teacher. Jim took every chance he could to connect with community members, learn about them, and impart any information to help people better their lives.

Despite the grim realities and challenges we faced on a daily basis, he celebrated the milestones of members. “Look at how far you’ve come along!” His words of endearment were invigorating for women and girls taking small steps to overcome the profound social isolation and economic marginalization they experienced after coming to Canada.

It saddens us to lose a dear friend. Without a doubt, Jim was a great ally for our community in our fight for the right to a decent life in Canada. Over the last years, he supported our community’s immigrant women to amass the strength to be outspoken advocates in the collective interest of our community and of the working class at large.

As we remember and celebrate Jim’s life, we remember his dedication to fight for the rights of vulnerable workers – to fight for the rights of all. We want to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for his contribution to the organization and mentorship of community women leaders and youth activists.

Although this is a tragic loss, we will strive to continue his legacy to celebrate his life. His wisdom and guidance over the past 16 years will continue to fuel community-based organizing in many communities like ours.

Forever in our memories, Jim Nugent!

South Asian Women’s Rights Organization (SAWRO)

Dear Community Members,

SAWRO would like to organize a consultation with young male (ages 18-30) community members from East Danforth neighborhoods on issues of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevalent in our society. The discussion will focus on the domestic, workplace, and financial violence faced by both women and men. In the discussion, we will focus on the nature of GBV and why it continues to plague many people. We will also discuss recommendations and solutions to prevent GBV.

For participation in the discussion, each person will receive an honorarium.

For more details and to indicate your interest please email, sawro.office@gmail.com or call us at 416-686-0701/647-857-9153.

Viewpoints discussed in the consultation will be kept confidential and are solely for research purposes. Thank you in advance and we look forward to seeing you at the discussion table!

South Asian Women’s and Immigrant’s Services (formerly SAWRO)
416-686-0701
sawro.office@gmail.com

Please see the attached infographic outlining the Pandemic Impact on Bangladeshi Immigrant Women. The data presented were collected and summarized from the findings of surveys completed by 227 community women from December 2020 to May 2021 to assess the impact of COVID-19 on employment, social benefits, and the overall wellbeing of the community members.