An Oct. 25 panel discussion exploring professional women in the justice system will look at aspects of the Canadian justice system from the perspective of those working inside it.
Part two of a exploring gender and leadership will bring together VicPD Sgt. Shannon Perkins, Crown counsel Paula Donnachie, Treena Smith, a parole supervisor with Correctional Services Canada and Holly Craig, a probation officer.
Satinder Virdi, executive director of the Society of Friends of St. AnnB次元官网网址檚 Academy, says after hosting a women and leadership conference in October of 2016, the society was left with a resounding need B次元官网网址渢o carry on the conversationsB次元官网网址 they had opened around gender justice.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 still a lot of that sort of old-school thinking at play in different workplaces,B次元官网网址 Virdi says, which is important to address. SheB次元官网网址檚 encountered situations with people, often men, who think society has moved past the limitations that give way to gender disparity. B次元官网网址淏ut people that are [working] in the system, they donB次元官网网址檛 feel the same, regardless of the profession youB次元官网网址檙e looking at.B次元官网网址
The informal structure of the discussion is to encourage a personal element from the panelists, to speak truth to the powers that be. Much of the structure of the justice system was built by and for men, says Eva Silden, chair of the panel and criminal justice instructor at Camosun College.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 so important to keep having these conversations,B次元官网网址 she explains. B次元官网网址淲omen are a unique population, so we do need to do things differently. I think there is a lot yet to learn, and a lot to change, both for women who are experiencing the system and for women who work in the system.B次元官网网址
While the focus remains on females, Virdi points out that opening these dialogues aims to ensure social justice for all genders. The pair encourages audience participation; theyB次元官网网址檝e created this space for the community to come together and speak up, asking questions they need answers to, in what Silden hopes will be an B次元官网网址渆xploration.B次元官网网址
B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 be silent,B次元官网网址 she says. B次元官网网址淭he minute we become silent, becomes very dangerous.B次元官网网址
To register to attend the panel discussion, email Virdi at sfsaa.vic@gmail.com or call Darlene Clover, 250-721-7816 or Lynne Milnes, 250-472-5031. The event runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. next Wednesday.
Darlene Clover, 250-721-7816 or Lynne Milnes, 250-472-5031.