The Association Francophone du Nunavut (AFN) has a new department for women and gender equality and the co-ordinator of the new initiative spoke with NNSL Media about just what the plans are.
Samia Solomon began her role last month and right before International Women’s Day on March 8, as well as before the start of Francophonie Month.
She said the job is profoundly meaningful to her because it reinforces her values of engaging in the promotion of women’s equity.
"The promotion of their rights, the struggle against gender-based violence, as well as developing female leadership," she said. "I am really willing to integrate myself and get involved in the territory because this is a dear hope of mine. I hope to be able to actively contribute and learn the local realities in order to make a significant impact.”
Solomon's responsibilities include creating and reinforcing a network for francophone women in the territory, as well as promoting projects designed to enhance gender equality within the capacity of the AFN.
One of those activities occurred on Feb. 22 where Solomon hosted what's known as 'choco-josette' or 'choco-chat' where she brought a group of female volunteers together for a discussion over chocolate to reinforce the French women’s network in Iqaluit. There was also discussion about the importance of such a network and the personal links between individuals in the territory.
Solomon said those in attendance were also able to learn from a delegation put together by Solomon about a lot of important information for integration of women into leadership roles.
“In Nunavut, we are in a situation where francophone women are a minority," she said. "For us, we found it’s not a bad idea to arrange these banquets to get women to get out for these events where it’s our responsibility to reinforce the francophone and francophile community in Nunavut."
