On 2 June 2010, Canada's National Committee for UN WOMEN held an event on ending violence against women highlighting the Say NO - UNiTE initiative and encouraging guests to join. The event, sponsored by Honourable Senator Mobina Jaffer, took place at the Parliament building in Ottawa.

UN WOMEN Canada was privileged to feature the following well-known speakers during this evening event:

• Charles S. Coffey, O.C.;   MODERATOR/CHAIR


• Honorable Senator Mobina Jaffer, Q.C.;


• Nanette Braun (Head of Communications, United Nations Headquarters, UN WOMEN);


• David Keller (President, Amnesty International, Canada);


• Dr. Shafique N. Virani (Professor, University of Toronto);


• Lise Watier (President and Founder, Lise Watier Foundation);


• Zahra Rasul (Faculty of Women and Gender Studies, University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus); and


• Almas Jiwani (President, Canadian National Committee of UN WOMEN).

Each of the speakers brought their personal and professional expertise and experience to the table, educating the audience about various ways we can all unite and work toward ending violence against women and girls.

The question and answer period filled the room with a spirit of activism — many  members of the audience were eager to go out and do something powerful to change this situation.