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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, February 12, 2016 | 8 Oakville women's work has global impact: Armstrong by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Human rights activist, journalist and awardwinning author Sally Armstrong will speak at The Dinner Party on March 2. The fundraiser, hosted by the Women of Halton Action Movement and the Zonta Club of Oakville, is the largest event of its kind in Canada to celebrate International Women's Day, according to organizers. Armstrong will speak on how the status of women is changing for the better, at the Burlington Convention Centre, 1120 Burloak Dr. "What I am going to talk about is the extraordinary changes that have come about, around the world, regarding the status of women because of what women like those sitting in the audience have done," said Armstrong. "The women of Oakville have done extraordinary work internationally and I am really looking forward to sharing what my research shows are the results of that work." Armstrong said a major factor that gives her hope for the future is a growing acceptance that the status of women and the economy are related, and that when one is down so is the other. Researchers, she said, have found when women are at the table, poverty and conflict are reduced and the economy is improved. "We are past the day when we need more research. We know for a fact that if you treat the Sally Armstrong women in the village -- whether that village is in Senegal or Syria or Oakville -- equally, you are going to have a better society. We know that to be true, there is no argument left," said Armstrong. "The discussion then is how fast is this happening and who is trying to hold it back?" Armstrong cited several examples of a new wave of empowerment, including the recent social media outcry that erupted when a tweet reported inequity at a coffee shop in Saudi Arabia created by the collapse of a gender wall. "The conversation has started and it is not stoppable," said Armstrong. She also noted a large group of girls in Kenya successfully sued the government for failing to protect them from rape. Finally, Armstrong pointed to Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl who survived being shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012 for advocating for education for women in her native Swat Valley. "Malala Yousafzai's story went into the stratosphere. She became the world's daughter," said Armstrong. "Why? Because the Earth has shifted on the status of women and girls. We look at it differently now and we know it is a mistake to marginalize women and girls." Armstrong's work has taken her to conflict zones all over the world, from Bosnia and Somalia to the Middle East, Rwanda, Congo and Afghanistan. Her eyewitness reports have earned numerous awards including the Gold Award from the National Magazine Awards Foundation and the Author's Award from the Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Letters. She received the Amnesty International Media Award in 2000, 2002 and again in 2011. Armstrong said she would soon be travelling to Afghanistan again in an effort to share stories that would otherwise never be told. "These are the stories I feel very humbled to tell. I feel very humbled that people will tell me what is going on and that I can be an eyewitness and bring that story back," she said. While these visits are potentially dangerous, OTMH Weekend Sale event Armstrong noted going to these conflict zones is essential if there is ever to be any kind of change. "If you can't talk about it, you can't change it and it is high time we changed the oppression of women," she said. "It is wasteful, it is ridiculous, it is hurtful and it is harming everybody, men and women, so it is time to change it." Armstrong's latest book, Ascent of Women: A New Age Is Dawning for Every Mother's Daughter, is expected to be available for sale at the March 2 event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $55 and can be purchased at www. thedinnerpartyiwd.ca or 905-825-3622. Organizers of The Dinner Party say it is the largest event of its kind in Canada to celebrate International Women's Day. It is expected to attract approximately 700 attendees and funds raised will be donated to Canadians in Support of Afghan Women (CSAW) and the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) Halton. CSAW is a chapter of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan. Founded in 1996, this not for profit organization is a non-religious, nonpolitical, federally-registered charity that advances education for Afghan women and their families and educations Canadians about human rights in Afghanistan (www. canadianssupportafghanwomen.ca.) SAVIS Halton provides confidential, nonjudgmental support to all survivors of violence, 365 days a year (www.savisofhalton.org). 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Doctors recommend the kyBoot "kyBoots help you keep balance and activate your muscles, from your toes to your back: they are helpful in the treatment of pain in the heels and forefeet, and are a method of choice to support the treatment of pain in the Achilles tendon and back." - Dr. Markus Müller, specialist in orthopaedic surgery, foot surgery practitioner, Lucerne SALE EVENT HOSPITAL CLOSING APPLIANCE & FURNITURE SALE 8:30 a.m. ­ 3:30 p.m., 327 reynolds Street, Oakville Sat Feb 20 and Sun Feb 21 2016 KyBoots will help you with.... · Back Pain · Improving circulation · Knee pain · Strengthening muscles · Foot conditions · Improving posture February 20 and 21, 2016 Enjoy a FREE Kyboot walking test, at the Medicine Shoppe on Lakeshore Rd. East Pharmacist/Owner Halton Healthcare is decommissioning the legacy OTMH building and there are surplus appliances, furniture items and some unique pieces for sale.This is a cash & carry event. All items must be removed at time of purchase so bring appropriate-sized vehicles. For questions about this sale event at OTMH, please contact: otmh-team@readinessgroup.net This event is organized on behalf of Halton Healthcare by: Richard Price 267 Lakeshore Rd. E., Oakville Mon.-Fri. 10-6, Sat. 9-1 A Trusted name in Oakville for over 20 years! www.kybun.com 905.842.2770