India Rainbow Community Services of Peel held its Annual ‘Celebrating Women’ event

May 22, 2015

India Rainbow’s Family Services Department held its annual ‘Celebrating Women’ event on May 21st with the theme – ‘Make it Happen – Release your inner beauty and embrace your diverse community’, with over 100 clients in attendance. It was also an opportunity for India Rainbow to recognize its many networking partners who have worked with India Rainbow very closely for several years in championing the cause of women empowerment in the Peel community.

The day started with a welcome address and introduction to the day’s theme by the Director of Community Services, Amira Masud, who spoke about finding inner beauty and the need for cultural responsiveness. The Manager of the Family Services Department, Jakki Buckeridge briefly spoke about how a women’s identity is generally based on relationships and finding self -worth.

The keynote address was delivered by Syerah Virani, Editor and CEO of mybindi.com, and a practicing lawyer, who inspired the women to create their own unique identity – not based on their relationship in a family or the society, or their profession, but by being who they truly are; and to own that identity. She cited the example of her own mother who transformed herself from being a wife and a mother to an entrepreneur and how she empowered herself by excelling in what she did best – cooking. Syerah asked each one present to learn how to network, educate themselves and know their rights, to smile no matter what, and to connect with old friends and family to stay positive.

A client Shazia shared her experience as an abused spouse and how she found help and support after contacting India Rainbow. The afternoon hands-on session on ‘Releasing stress though breathing techniques’ was led by Sanjukta Das, an Art of Living Teacher who conducts workshops internationally. Sanjukta explained how we carry the stress in various parts of our body which in turn affects our health, sleeping habits and its impact on our lives. After a delicious lunch, a panel discussion followed with experts in the field of counselling, law, social services and clients, who answered questions on impact of culture on domestic violence, and how service providers can be more inclusive, accessible and culturally responsive to the diverse needs of its clientele. Aashna Gulati, volunteer, gave a riveting dance performance to entertain all present.

The networking partners recognized as champions were: Catholic Family Services – HEAL Network, Interim Place, Victim Services of Peel, Peel CAS, Associated Youth Services of Peel, South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario, Legal Aid Ontario, and Safe Centre of Peel.

The day ended with raffle prizes and an open dance floor. Many thanks to the organizing committee, the panelists and clients for their active participation in the event

Sanjukta Das, an Art of Living teacher conducting her ‘Releasing Stress through Breathing‘ exercise

Syerah Virani, Editor and CEO, MyBindi, delivering the keynote address

Panelists from the fields of counselling, law and social services answering questions from the audience