York University will bid farewell to the National Network on Environments & Women's Health (NNEWH) with a celebration of its legacy on March 23 from noon to 1:30pm.
NNEWH says goodbye to the University after 21 years of critical feminist research on women's health and the environment.
In recent years, NNEWH did important research into pollution and drinking water, endocrine disruption, the regulation of chemicals and toxic exposures in the workplace.
NNEWH was one of four federally funded Centres of Excellence of the Women’s Health Contribution Program at the Bureau of Women’s Health & Gender Analysis, Health Canada. The program was cancelled after funding was eliminated in the 2012 federal budget.
It worked to bring together a diversity of perspectives and evidence-based findings to address gaps in health policy, practice and education. Research associates came from a variety of academic disciplines and multiple sectors, including sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, nursing, law, health promotion, NGOs, and community and health services organizations. NNEWH’s women’s health research priorities included chemical exposures, pharmaceuticals, maternal health and water quality.
Dayna Nadine Scott, of York's Osgoode Hall Law School and the Faculty of Environmental Studies, was the director of NNEWH, and Anne Rochon Ford, coordinator of Women & Health Protection, assumed co-directorship in April 2009. At that time, NNEWH also welcomed two sister working groups under its administration: Women & Health-Care Reform and Women & Health Protection. NNEWH staff included Giovanna Costa, coordinator of Women & Health-Care Reform and Jyoti Phartiyal, projects coordinator.
During the event, hosted by the Faculty of Environmental Studies, there will be food and drinks, as well as books, posters, pamphlets, bags, water bottles and more to be given away. Tributes by co-directors Rochon Ford and Scott, FES Dean Noel Sturgeon and Professor Pat Armstrong will be heard.
RSVP to k_chung@yorku.ca.