NGO CSY/NY Parallel Event: Empowering, Educating and Engaging Youth through Feminist Disarmament Education

Join us! The Canadian Voice of Women for Peace and The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada will be facilitating this interactive workshop that will explore the transformative power of feminist disarmament education as a means to achieving security and gender equality. Attendees will learn about feminist disarmament education, the Women Peace and Security agenda and gain …

VOW joins call for release of Julian Assange

Canadian Voice of Women joins in the world-wide call for an end to the persecution of Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange facing a 175-year prison term in the United States if extradited by Britain. In a letter today to President Joe Biden, sent jointly with The Centre for Free Expression, VOW called on the American President to drop his government’s pursuit of Mr. Assange. …

War on Gaza: SIGN THE PETITION NOW

The war on Gaza continues. Last Friday the International Court of Justice concluded that Israel is plausibly committing genocide. This charge will be pursued. In the meantime the ICJ called for interim provisional measures to ensure that genocidal acts are prevented and that aid is delivered. In the days that followed hundreds more Palestinians have been killed and injured. There …

Women Against NATO

The Canadian Voice of Women for Peace is opposed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a Western-patriarchal institution of violence. Over the course of our history, VOW has passed at least two resolutions calling for Canada to withdraw and for the alliance to be abolished. In 2019, we launched a monthly protest against NATO outside the NATO Association of …

Get Involved: The Peace Protector Uniform Project

The Peace Protector Uniform was an interactive display located on a pier in Halifax during Nocturne 2023 and it included a reconstructed military uniform, a recruitment office run by Raging Grannies and an activity table. The military uniform will continue as a display piece. COME VISIT: The uniform is on display at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax from January …

URGENT PROTECTION OF WOMEN IN GAZA

At the Kelowna Peace Group peace rally November 5th, 2023, at city hall, followed by a march to join the University students organized rally in downtown Kelowna. Article written by Hannah Hadikin (VOW Co-Chair) Every woman has the right to the protection of all human rights. Human rights were enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights—a …

VOW’s 2023 AGM Review

On November 25th, Voice of Women’s 63rd Annual General Meeting transpired. This event was hybrid– taking place at Friends House in Toronto with members joining in virtually from all across Canada. We are so appreciative for all of you who were able to come together with us! The AGM business conventions were dutifully fulfilled. Sufficient numbers met the quorum requirements …

VOW@COP28! We Call for Peace for Climate Justice and to Demilitarize to Decarbonize

Members Tamara Lorincz, Marla Slavner & Kasha Sequoia Slavner are heading to the COP 28 Climate Summit in Dubai, UAE. Tamara was selected to join the Climate Action Network-Canada (CAN-Rac) delegation as the VOW representative. Our organization is a member of CAN-Rac. They are bringing the messages for “peace for climate justice,” “cut military spending for climate finance”, “cancel the …

Let’s Go to the UN! Apply by January 5th to join VOW at the Commission on the Status of Women in March

You are invited to participate in the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) which is scheduled to be held from March 11th-22nd, 2024 at United Nations Headquarters, New York. The theme of the UN CSW and will consider the priority theme of “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and …

You’re invited to VOW’s Annual General Meeting on November 25th – online nationwide and in-person in Toronto!

SAVE THE DATE! VOW’s 2023 AGM will take place online nationwide and in-person in Toronto on Saturday, November 25th from 1:00 to 4:30pm ET. Plan to participate and join VOW in organizing for peace! Please Register Here! We will welcome and hear from our valued guest speaker, Jill Carr-Harris, followed by a review of VOW’s board activities, financial report, staff reports, …

VOW’s Statement on the Israel-Palestine Conflict & Action Alert-Call for Ceasefire on Gaza

The Canadian Voice of Women for Peace (VOW) calls on the Canadian government to show leadership within the global community by: (i) calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas (ii) restoring access to water, food, medicine, and electricity for Gaza civilians, and assisting Egypt in safely opening the Rafah crossing for delivery of essential resources; and (iii) making …

Read our Joint Submission on Canada for the Universal Periodic Review to the United Nations Human Rights Council

VOW and WILPF-Canada jointly made a submission to the UN Human Rights Council for its Universal Periodic Review of Canada. Our submissions are in English and French. Canada will be reviewed on November 10, 2023 in the morning Geneva time. You can learn more about Canada’s upcoming review here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/ca-index In our submission, we argue among other things that the federal …

2023 White Poppy Campaign

Join us in the urgent call for peace as an alternative to war profiteering and war preparation. Let’s turn the focus of our collaborative resources towards healing, regenerative solutions for humanitarian and climate disasters. Together we can free ourselves from our dependence on war and militarism. Wear a white poppy from September 21, the International Day of Peace, until December …

Global Days of Action to End War in Ukraine!

Rally for Peace Now! End the War in Ukraine! Join VOW members in Waterloo Public Square (75 King Street) in Waterloo, Ontario on Tuesday, October 3rd from 5:30pm-6:00pm for our action to end the war on Ukraine! We encourage you to join us, bring your signs, and advocate for a culture of peace together! Organized by the Canadian Voice of …

VOW’s 2023 Peace Leadership Retreat

This past weekend, VOW held a retreat to help us dream about, and plan for, VOW’s strengthened future as a voice for peace. We appreciate all of our members, and those interested in becoming involved with VOW, for joining us from across Canada. Everyone contributed such insightful ideas, creativity and peacemaking energies! VOW has planned campaigns and actions for the …

Time for Canada to sign the TPNW

This year marks the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Despite the catastrophic health and environmental consequences, the threat of nuclear weapons has persisted with the tragic war in Ukraine, with nuclear weapon tests, NATO’s nuclear weapons exercises, and nuclear weapons modernization. Please take a minute to write to party leaders letter calling on the Canadian …

Hiroshima & Nagasaki Day Toronto Event

90 Seconds to Midnight: Nuclear Weapons & Climate Change Join us for an eye-opening event, 90 Seconds to Midnight: Nuclear Weapons & Climate Change. Discover the connections between nuclear weapons and climate change, and their impact on our planet’s survival. This in-person event will take place at the Peace Garden on the west end of Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall. Prepare …

Call to Action: Hand Out VOW’s Flyer at Oppenheimer!

“Oppenheimer is a blockbuster case against the creation and use of nuclear weapons.”- CODEPINK While conversations about the use of nuclear weapons are incredibly prevalent throughout the world (e.g., Russia’s threat to use nuclear weapons, NATO’s failure to reduce nuclear risks at the Vilnius Summit, and continued nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula), what really seems to be drawing the …

IN-PERSON PRESENTATION & LUNCH WITH CREW FROM THE VETERANS FOR PEACE’S ☮ GOLDEN RULE PEACE BOAT ☮

Date: Wednesday, July 26th Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm Location: Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue, Toronto Join us for a lunchtime presentation with crew members of Veterans for Peace’s Golden Rule Peace Boat. They will sail into Toronto and give a talk to the community. 👉Please pre-register with Lyn Adamson, co-chair of VOW, so we have enough food and chairs: lyn.adamson9@gmail.com Contributions to the …

Strawberry Social & Fundraiser Post-Event Review

VOW’s 2023 Strawberry Social & Fundraiser was a success! We want to thank all of you who were able to attend, donate, volunteer, and support VOW in celebrating our 63rd anniversary as a feminist peace organization. We created a meaningful space to come together thanks to our wonderful board member, Janis Alton, and her generosity to hold the event on …

Global Affairs Canada 2023 Civil Society Consultations on Disarmament, Non-Proliferation, and Arms Control

(Left) L’Artists pour la Paix Members: Pierre & Sylvie; (Right) International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War-Canada Members: John, Lia, & Nancy (taking the photo), & Canadian Voice of Women for Peace Members: Alley & Tamara At the end of June, Alley and Tamara travelled to Ottawa to attend Global Affairs Canada’s (GAC) full-day civil society consultations on disarmament, …

Tamara’s Speaking Tour & Advocacy in B.C.

Tamara went on a week-long trip to British Columbia in June. She spoke on “The Climate Impacts of War and Militarism” at the annual peace conference organized by the Boundary Peace Initiative in Grand Forks. She also gave presentations entitled “Making Space for Peace to end the War in Ukraine” in Vancouver, Nanaimo and Victoria. At each speaking engagement, Tamara …

The International Summit for Peace in Ukraine in Vienna from June 9th-12th, 2023

With financial support from generous funders including the family of Ann Gertler, Tamara represented VOW and WILPF Canada at the “International Summit for Peace in Ukraine” in Vienna from June 9-12. The day before the summit, Tamara participated in the 3-hour meeting of WILPF members at the Women’s House. The summit began with a peace concert followed by a two-day intensive …

2023 Strawberry Social & Fundraiser

VOW welcomes you and your guests to join us for our 2023 Strawberry Social & Fundraiser! Join us in celebrating VOW’s 63rd Anniversary on Sunday, July 16th from 2pm-4pm EDT.  Come bid at our silent auction, eat strawberry shortcake, buy from our book sale, go on a walking tour, enjoy performances, listen to guest speakers, and so much more! Also, meet our new national …

Fueling a War in Silence: Canada’s Role in the Yemeni War

Photo Credit: Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network By: Sarah Rohleder This past March 25-27 protests were held across Canada to mark 8 years of the Saudi-led intervention in the war in Yemen. In six cities across the country rallies, marches, and solidarity actions were held in objection to Canada’s profiting off of the war through their arms deal with Saudi …

Mothers’ Peace Day- A Call to Peace

Written in collaboration by Canadian Voice of Women for Peace & Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Canada ________________________________________________________________________________ “From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own. It says, “Disarm, disarm! The sword is not the balance of justice.” -Julia Ward Howe, American author and peace activist, 1819-1910 In 1870, Julia Ward Howe …

Meet our new National Coordinator, Alley!

Hello! My name is Alley McDonald, and I am honoured to be the new National Coordinator of Canadian Voice of Women for Peace. I am a peace practitioner with previous experiences working with feminist and peace focused organizations that represent my values, and I am grateful to be able to continue this work with VOW. I recently graduated from the Masters …

VOW Delegation at the 2023 UN Commission on the Status of Women 

A group of VOW delegates pose with our banner that reads Women Unite for Peace & Disarmament.

Photo Credit: Jacqueline Burgoyne  By Marney Cuff; MRT(R),MSW-POLICY, VOW Lead for the UNCSW67 _______________________________________________________________________ Earlier this year (March 6 to 17) women from across the globe came together for the first in-person Commission on the Status of Women 67 at United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan since 2019. During COVID pandemic years the CSW was held as a completely virtual event. …

Webinar Dec 7th: Climate, Conflict & the Search for Peace

First-Hand Observations from COP 27, Russia and Eastern EuropeTamara Lorincz, PhD candidate and member of the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF-Canada)Wednesday, December 7, 20224:30 PST/7:30 ET Register Online: Action Network On Wednesday, December 7th, Tamara will share her insights as an observer delegate at the 27th Conference of the …

A Nuclear Climate Emergency

By Sarah Rohleder, VOW Peace Campaign Intern —  Over the past few weeks activists have been working to highlight the intersection of militarization and climate change that governments around the world seem eager to forget about. This link is evident in many countries across the world as they are facing the devastating effects of climate change in addition to the …

Letter to the Minister of Environment & Climate Change: End the war, demilitarize, decarbonize, and take gender-responsive climate action!

VOW and WILPF Canada recently sent a letter to the Minister of Environment & Climate Change expressing concerns about carbon-intensive military procurement and rising military expenditures in the midst of a climate emergency and calling for for ending the war, cutting military spending for climate finance, demilitarization for decarbonization and gender-responsive climate action. “VOW and WILPF also want to bring to your …

Read Our 2022 Annual Report!

At the Annual General Meeting on October 29th, VOW members received the most recent Annual Report which reviews and summarizes VOW’s mission-focused activities and administrative operations over the past year. VOW’s main activities are organized by theme: Advocacy Action, Peace Education & Outreach, and United Nations Engagement. Read all the details!

Double Your Donation to VOW!

Our fall fundraising campaign continues with all donations matched if they are received before December 31st! We are immensely grateful to long-time VOW member and former Canadian Senator Nancy Ruth who has committed to match $6,000 in new donations to VOW. Can you help us meet that goal? Nancy will double your gift. We must raise $6,000 for a strong …

From the Archives: The First Twenty Five Years of Voice of Women

October is Women’s History Month! VOW went back into the archives and found this amazing 1987 article “Persistent Voices: Twenty Five Years of the Voice of Women” written by Kay MacPherson, VOW’s national coordinator. The article describes VOW’s baby tooth campaign for nuclear disarmament, War Toys collection, peace delegation to the Soviet Union and the knitting project for Vietnamese children …

Only a few days left! Register for VOW’s youth panel and AGM happening Oct. 29th

Register to attend and please spread the word! On Saturday October 29th, 10am PT / 1pm ET, VOW is hosting a Youth Panel on Peace, Disarmament & Climate Justice at our upcoming Annual General Meeting, moderated by Tamara Lorincz, VOW Senior Researcher & Campaigner and featuring: Lia Holla, Executive Coordinator, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada Kasha Sequoia …

#FundPeaceNotWar Week of Action, Oct 15-23

October 15th to 23rd is the #FundPeaceNotWar Canada Week of Action, where we will demand no new fighter jets, warships or drones! We need billions for housing, health care, jobs and climate, NOT for war profiteering! So far, rallies have been confirmed in: Waterloo, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, South Georgian Bay, Vancouver, Hamilton, Calgary and Winnipeg. For more information and for …

You’re Invited: Youth Peace Panel & 2022 VOW Annual Meeting October 29th

Register to attend and please spread the word! On Saturday October 29th, 10am PT / 1pm ET, VOW is hosting a Youth Panel on Peace, Disarmament & Climate Justice at our upcoming Annual General Meeting, moderated by Tamara Lorincz, VOW Senior Researcher & Campaigner and featuring: Lia Holla, Executive Coordinator, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada Kasha Sequoia …

VOW Urges PM Trudeau & Minister Joly to Sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Once again we are calling on the government to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). This latest appeal was penned by our new Peace Campaign Intern, Sarah Rohleder, on the occasion of the 8th International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, September 26th, which is more important than ever given the current heightened …

Finding Peace Among Ourselves

By Sarah Rohleder, VOW Disarmament Campaign Intern — This past International Day of Peace, we were invited to recognize the racism within our own communities that threaten peace and security, with the theme “End racism. Build peace.” For we cannot adequately handle other issues until we face the inequality permeating in our own societies. To address these issues, we must …

VOW & WILPF Canada Members Meet with Senator Mobina Jaffer

VOW and the Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF) Canada recently held a meeting with Senator Mobina Jaffer and met in August with Senator Marilou McPhedran. We discussed our concerns about the rise of military spending in Canada, the federal government sending weapons to Ukraine and prolonging the war, and Canada’s failure to join the Treaty on the …

Peace Day 2022 – Events & Joint Statement

VOW and other members of the Canada-Wide Peace & Justice Network have published a statement and call to action for International Peace Day 2022. You can read the statement online and find a listing of Peace Day events happening in the week around September 21st all across Canada! CEASEFIRES AND NEGOTIATIONS NOW! DISARM NOW! BAN NUCLEAR WEAPONS! On United Nations …

VOW & WILPF Canada meet with Senator Marilou McPhedran

VOW and WILPF Canada members recently had a virtual meeting with Senator Marilou McPhedran to discuss our concerns about the federal government continuing to send weapons to Ukraine that is prolonging the tragic war. We also highlighted Canada’s failure to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and our concerns about buying fighter jets and increasing military spending. We …

VOW & WILPF Canada denounce Canada’s increasing militarization and request government meetings

VOW and WILPF Canada recently wrote to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and other Members of Parliament and Senators. The letters requested meetings and advocated for Canada to end the war in Ukraine, ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, reduce military spending, prioritize diplomacy and disarmament, and promote the Women Peace and Security agenda. “We are concerned that …

Cancel the RIMPAC naval war practice!

Add your name to the petition to cancel the dangerous, provocative and destructive international Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval war practice and create a demilitarized Pan-Pacific Zone of Peace. VOW is one of many peace and justice organizations supporting this campaign. The petition page has lots of background and some links to videos and as well news from activists in the area.

Check out all the VOW e-newsletters!

Looking for details of something you remember seeing in a VOW e-newsletter? Find the most recent newsletter as well as past editions in our archive list of VOW monthly newsletters. (But do make sure you’re signed up to receive the newsletters in your email inbox! Use the sign-up form on this site.)

Urgent E-Letter Action: Sign and Share!

Time is running out for the Canadian government to send a delegation to the historic first meeting of states parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). The meeting will take place in Vienna, Austria from June 21st to the 23rd. Canada has no plans to attend and has not signed or ratified the treaty but could …

Ban the Bomb Ottawa Update: Success!

On June 8th, Ottawa City Council officially voted unanimously in favour of supporting the TPNW! Ottawa joins 17 other Canadian cities as part of the ICAN Cities Appeal, including Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg, and by many other cities around the world. Nuclear weapons put all our cities at risk. Has your city signed on? Check the ICAN website to find out and if not, you could use …

Update on the June 1st Protest Against the CANSEC Arms Fair

Hundreds strong, protestors blocked access to all entrances to the CANSEC weapons show in Ottawa on June 1, 2022 in solidarity with everyone killed and displaced by the weapons sold there. It was impossible for anyone to attend their weapons fair without directly confronting the violence and bloodshed they are complicit in. See more photos and links to media coverage.

Prominent supporters urge the Canadian Government to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)

“Humanity remains one misunderstanding, one misstep, one miscalculation, one pushed button away from annihilation,” said the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres on September 26, 2021, the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. We have already come close to disaster several times. We can’t always be lucky. Nuclear disarmament is an emergency. Nevertheless, following US instructions to NATO member countries, Canada …

Stop the War! Rally in Toronto May 7th

VOW members joined World Beyond War and other activists for an anti-war and anti-NATO demonstration at Spadina Avenue & Bloor Street West. May 7th was an international day of action for peace in Ukraine, with events around the world. Co-Chair Lyn Adamson spoke at the Toronto rally on behalf of VOW. Photos below thanks to Marla Slavner and Murray Lumley.

Photo Gallery: Mother’s Day Walk for Peace 2022

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the weekend action to share visual messages for peace honouring of mothers and grandmothers working for peace and connecting with the anti-war roots of Mother’s Day! VOW members and peace activists took photos with their signs from east to west – some with a friend or family member and others at larger community …

Send us a Mother’s Day peace photo!

Join us to honour mothers and grandmothers who continue to protect and preserve a planet entrusted to their care. Voice of Women for Peace invites peace activists across Canada and the globe to ‘choose your peace’ as we walk on May 7th and 8th. Walk with a friend or loved one or join us from home and take a photo. You …

Online Action to Oppose the Extradition of Julian Assange

WikiLeaks editor and publisher Julian Assange is facing a 175 year sentence for publishing truthful information in the public interest. His extradition is being sought by the current US administration for publishing US government documents which exposed war crimes and human rights abuses. The UK Supreme Court has now overruled a lower court decision and has sent Assange’s extradition request …

Nova Scotia VOW’s “Peace Knot Bombs Banner”

From Nova Scotia VOW ~ “Peace Knot Bombs” is a collective textile art work made by over 50 women from across Turtle Island. Initiated in Nova Scotia, the resulting banner memoralizes victims of military violence inflicted upon communities and families due to endless and accelerating armed conflicts. In a post Covid world, we hope to display the banner and raise …

Bluenosing the Military Industrial Complex

Written by VOW Member kathrin winkler ~ Nova Scotia’s Maritime pride in her shipbuilding heritage has been called on to promote a new legacy for Lunenburg, according to CBC’s Brett Ruskin. The article entitled “Handcrafting history continues in Lunenburg as aerospace company builds parts for F-35 jet” implies that making jet parts in Lunenburg connects to the great Maritime tradition …

VOW’s UNCSW66 Parallel Event

Economies of Female: Expanding Care Work and Regeneration Through Disarmament. See the recording of our webinar below Canadian Voice of Women for Peace’s United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 66 Parallel Event. An inspiring discussion on how disarmament can transform our economies forward through diverting funds from carbon intensive weapons to climate change mitigation, regeneration and women’s empowerment. …

Canada, Sign the Nuclear Ban Treaty and Break with NATO’s Nuclear Policy

This petition initiated by the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day Coalition, Échec à la Guerre and the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace. Petition is sponsored by Member of Parliament Alexandre Boulerice of Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie of the New Democratic Party Caucus. Petition to the Government of Canada Whereas: The accidental detonation of a single nuclear weapon would be catastrophic; Even a …

We’re Hiring! Position: National Coordinator

Canadian Voice of Women for Peace is looking for a new National Coordinator! Position: National Coordinator Preferred start date: March 14, 2022 but reasonably flexible. We will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Hours: 20 hours/week with flexible hours for candidates in Toronto (hybrid). 16 hours/week with flexible hours for candidates outside of Toronto …