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Kenyan Canadian Association - KCA is a federal not-for-profit organization that seeks to address the issues affecting marginalized black Canadians and other racialized groups while assisting newcomers to settle and make a positive contribution in the society as they endeavor to achieve their goals.

KCA also focuses on implementing programs and specifically offering services to newcomers, low-income families and other socially-excluded groups residing in Canada to improve their personal well-being and social-economic status.

KCA works collaboratively with organizations and stakeholders through our grassroot network across the country.

 

KCA Webinar Addresses Role of the Media in Preventing Gender-Based Violence

Written by KCA Admin on . Posted in News

Toronto, Canada – Wednesday, October 20 2021

Kenyan Canadian Association (KCA) hosted it’s fourth webinar on October 16, 2021 which focused on ways the Media can help to prevent Gender-based Violence (GBV). The webinar was part of a high-impact series supported through funding by the Government of Canada through the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Safer + Stronger COVID-19 Emergency Grants.

The webinar featured a group of industry experts engaging in a conversation about what can be done to create media spaces that move away from the stereotypes that reinforce gender inequality and GBV in television, film, print, and social media.

The Liberal Member of Parliament for North Brampton and champion for diversity, inclusion and gender equality, Hon. Ruby Sahota attended the webinar as the special guest speaker. The panelists included Patricia Bebia Mawa, Executive Vice President of Silver Trust Media; Debbie Nicholls-Skerrit, a Creative & Holistic Wellness Professional & Artist; Simone Jennifer Smith, Chief Reporter & Operations Manager of Toronto Caribbean Newspaper and Trician-Renée Edwards, founder of The Love & Light Collective & Love, Light & Learn TV. It was hosted by Sanjit Kaur, KCA’s Women and Gender Affairs Director, with introductory remarks from KCA’s Board Secretary and Director of Newcomers & Settlement, Catherine Matimu.

The webinar featured media and entertainment leaders who addressed the effects of media on gender-based violence. They also offered solutions about the work currently being done in our communities to foster better programing, reporting, and media that works to change damaging narratives about women and gender.

Hon. Sahota discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the increased rates of gender-based violence. As well, she pointed the audience to government funded services available in the community.

To open the panel discussion, media mogul Patrcia Bebia Mawa of AfroGlobal TV and Silvertrust Media spoke in depth about the influence that mainstream media has in shaping conversations about violence against women. She highlighted the need to have more female representation in all aspects of the media industry. She also spoke about the steps that media can take to prevent stigma against survivors of GBV and breakdown the negative portrayals that lead to GBV in the first place. She stated that correct language and expert guidance should be used to accurately tell the stories of those effected by gender-based violence.

The next panelist was Debbie Nicholls-Skerrit, a trained performing artist and wellness professional, who spoke about different approaches and alternative holistic healing modalities that can be undertaken to address and heal the trauma of gender-based violence.

Simone Jennifer Smith, Chief Reporter at Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, further called on the media to educate communities on the realities of gender-based violence as a means of offering meaningful support and an end to this silent epidemic. “We as media need to make sure we're educating people, [in my work] I definitely focus on educating the community on what gender-based violence actually is, how it looks, how it can present.”

Trician-Renée Edwards, founder of The Love & Light Collective & Love, Light & Learn TV, an online children’s educational program, spoke about the effects of social media on young women and girls and how this often makes them vulnerable to cyberbully and cyber stalking online which can lead to gender-based violence offline. She spoke about the necessity to bridge the gap between fast paced information sharing online, and the need for engaging children in social media literacy and self-esteem building.

The webinar provided an informative and inclusive space to discuss GBV in Canadian media while informing the audience there is work being done to build a world without gender-based violence.
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Upcoming Webinars:
Join us for future webinars in this series:

5: Gender Equality & UN Women HeForShe - November 6th, 2021

We have also listed some of the resources shared in the webinar:

Micro-Grant Youth Project Participants Funded by Canada Service Corps

Rhythms of Change: Shannice Thomas' Transformative Journey with Micro-Grant Youth Program

Shannice Thomas shares her journey on her initiative; Black youth music program during a workshop held on December 2, 2023.

 

Nurturing Independence: Shania Ramirez's Empowering Journey with Micro-Grant Youth Program

Shania Ramirez shares her journey on her initiative; Empower and educate black youth on self-autonomy during a workshop held on December 2, 2023.

Empowering Voices: Joyce Molale's Impactful Journey with Micro-Grant Youth Program

Joyce Molale shares her journey on her initiative; In their own voices – disrupting anti-Black racism and hate during a workshop held on December 2, 2023.

 

Empowering Change: Henry Bioh's Inspiring Journey with the Micro-Grant Youth Program

Henry Bioh shares his journey on his initiative; The African Excellence Program for African Youth during a workshop held on December 2, 2023.

Inspiring Tomorrow: Oluwatubi Agbede's Empowering Journey with Micro-Grant Youth Program

Oluwatubi Agbede shares his journey on his initiative; Science outreach program for black youth during a workshop held on December 2, 2023.

 

Reimagining Africa: Empowering Cultural Narratives and Identity

Mosopefoluwa shares her initiative during the workshop on February 3, 2024.  

Recognizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage, Mosope advocates for Africans to embrace indigenous languages, strengthening ties to ancestral roots and promoting diverse cultures. Mosope's project, "Reimagining Africa," aims to showcase the continent's cultural heritage through a multimedia campaign, fostering global appreciation and understanding. 

 

Hoops for Empowerment: Malko Young's Basketball Initiative with Micro-Grant Youth Program

Malko Young shares his initiative during a workshop on February 3, 2024.

Dedicated to youth empowerment through basketball, Malko's "Improved Basketball Skills" program enhances participants' abilities in dribbling, shooting, and teamwork. By fostering physical fitness and leadership, Malko's holistic approach emphasizes character development, life skills, and mentorship, promoting confidence, academic success, and community engagement.

 

Empowering Black Students: Akera Otto’s STEM Access Initiative with Micro-Grant Youth Program

Akera Otto outlines his vision during a workshop on February 3, 2024.

Inspired by a Black student Hackathon he attended; Akera aims to transform their Python 3 program into a user-friendly app. With the grant, they plan to refine the code and hire a computer scientist by November. By January, beta testing will commence at McMaster University. Akera's project aims to empower Black students in STEM, providing vital resources and opportunities.

 

Cultivating Cultural Connections: Odilia's Community Engagement initiative

Odilia Nkosi shares her vision during the workshop on February 3, 2024.

Inspired by her heritage, Odilia plans to use the grant to organize cultural events like music performances and language classes, as well as a community roller skating night. These initiatives aim to promote cultural preservation and community engagement.

 

 

Empowering Sustainable Fashion: Melody's Clothing Swap Initiative with Micro-Grant Youth Program

Melody Vuliye shares her initiative during a workshop on February 3, 2024.

Melody’s project, "The Clothing Swap Initiative," focuses on hosting three clothing swap events across GTA colleges and universities. These events aim to promote sustainable fashion practices and reduce textile waste in the communities. By providing students with a platform to exchange clothing items, Melody and team foster conscious consumption and community engagement.

The goal is to empower youth with affordable, high-quality clothing options while advocating for sustainability and the circular economy. Through breaking financial barriers and encouraging clothing reuse and recycling, they aim to create a sense of community and inspire a greener future.

 

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Contact Information

Kenyan Canadian Association - KCA
Brampton | Toronto | Ottawa | Winnipeg | Calgary | Vancouver
Telephone: +1 888-448-6225
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.kcacanada.org 
           | @kcacanada

National Head Office:
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226 Bathurst St, Unit 250
Toronto ON M5T 2R9
Brampton Office:
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18 Regan Rd, Unit 28
Brampton ON L7A 1C2

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