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WHAM worked hard to bring June Callwood Award homeBy Melanie CummingsAs has beenOn a provincial scale, WHAM protested withIn Support of Afghan Women (CSAW) and SPECIAL TO THE BEAVERWHAMs prac-the awards namesake, June Callwood, at QueensSexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services tice in pastPark, against the use of any religious arbitrationof Halton (SAVIS).Members of a long-standing local advocacy elections, itin matters of family law. WHAM was successfulCSAW educates 5,000 girls in Afghanistan group head to Toronto next Friday (April 15) to continues itsin convincing the Ontario government.and runs a vocational resource centre and pick up an award for its exceptional work on push to putInternationally, WHAM vocally opposed thelibraries across the country. behalf of women and children here, across womensIraq war and lobbied hard to pass a private-SAVIS provides free, confidential and non-Canada and around the world.issues, such asmembers bill (C-393) that would make HIV/ judgmental counselling and 24-hour crisis The Women of Halton Action Movement, this long-AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis drugs availableintervention to survivors of sexual violence who otherwise known as WHAM, is this years recipi-standing one,cheaply in Africa.reside in Halton.ent of the June Callwood Outstanding at the fore-WHAM also has a global, and closer-to-home,The June Callwood Award is presented every Achievement Award.front.focus on its fundraising efforts. year by the Ministry of Citizenship and While Bev LeFrancois, who is a founding The HarperThis completely volunteer-driven organiza-Immigration to individuals and groups who Bev LeFrancoismember of WHAM, is thrilled by this fabulous governmentstion that operates without any government ormade an exceptional contribution to volunta-honour, the group is not willing to rest on its solution to givecorporate funding raises money for Canadiansrism in Ontario.laurels. $100 per month to cover the costs of childcare is WHAM continues to fight for universal child-a disappointing one, said LeFrancois.care an issue it has been pushing for since its Women who work outside of the home get inception 30 years ago.poorer because of costly childcare, added Women make up half the work force and still WHAMs Carole Holmes.we dont have enough childcare spaces to match, WHAM was founded in 1981 in response to said the mother of four children and grand-the concerns of women about the inclusion of the mother of five. We always have hope and we keep equality clause in the Charter of Rights and on lobbying for it, she added. Freedoms. Mission accomplished on that score On this point, LeFrancois quotes author, and on so many more.ardent feminist and journalist Doris Anderson Locally, WHAM was successful in the creation who said we wouldnt be still talking about the of a bylaw that would force pornographic maga-need for a national childcare program if there zines in convenience stores to be out of sight, on were more women in Parliament. higher shelves and behind opaque covers. The Although the last election in October 2008 group has also participated in local Take Back the resulted in a record 69 women being elected to Night marches for the past 25 years and more the House of Commons, it represented just 22 recently in helping organize the annual per cent of the 308 seats. International Womens Day dinner in March.INCR SEAUDVPIBI NHERITAGETLOEGSINCE 1977 S5 Lifestyle Home Furnishings0%CompleteFromSolid Cherry Sofas$$King Bedroom Set7997999Only 2 Left$4699In stock fromCanadian Made 2 pcBeautiful Lifestyle $in stockSolid Wood Dining100% Leather2999$1999A strong Canadian dollar has made our buying power incredible!DONT MISS THIS SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY!4205 Fairview Street, Burlington 905-634-5298www.heritagefurniture.ca21 Friday, April 8, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com