YWCA Impact Series: Advocacy in Action

On June 15, 2026, we invite you to join us for a YWCA Impact Series event, Advocacy in Action, featuring the premiere screening of Voices for Change, YWCA BC’s documentary on peer-led advocacy and systems change, followed by a moderated panel discussion on YWCA’s new report, The Cost of Inaction: Measuring the Economic Impact of Gender-Based Violence in BC.

Did you know gender-based violence costs BC more than $1.12 billion each year? Our new report shows investing in prevention and community supports would cost the province far less and would save lives.

For the last two years, YWCA City Shift has worked alongside single mothers with lived experience to advocate for systemic change and ensure women most impacted are included in policy decisions. This event will connect those advocacy efforts with the urgent need to invest in violence prevention and survivor supports across BC.

Panelists:

• Katrina Chen, former MLA and minister, advocate, and author of A Stronger Home
• Dr. Vicky Bungay, professor and researcher in the UBC School of Nursing, and former Canada Research Chair in Gender, Equity and Community Engagement
• Sammie Jo Rumbaua, community advocate and YWCA BC Peer Advocacy Council Member
• The panel will be moderated by YWCA’s Lisa Rupert, Vice-President of Violence Prevention and Housing

Light refreshments will be provided. Please let us know your preferred snack option when you RSVP.

This event is child-friendly. If you need child minding during the event, please reach out to snortheast@ywcabc.org. 

_{YWCA City Shift is funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada.} 

_{The Cost of Inaction: Measuring the Economic Impact of Gender-Based Violence in BC was made possible with funding from The Houssian Foundation and SPARC BC.}