Co-Director, #GenderEquityTO Campaign
While Toronto City Council has made commitments to achieve gender equity, for too long the City’s budget lacked the significant investment necessary to empower women and girls. Cities across the world have incorporated gender-responsive budgeting lenses in their budget processes for the purpose of advancing gender equity and understanding how investments in critical municipal services impact different demographics. The #SnapTheBudget #GenderEquityTO campaign was designed to raise awareness around gender-budgeting, build public support around a landmark gender-responsive budgeting vote at City Council, and ultimately lead to establishing a Gender Equity Office at the City of Toronto.
Responsibilities:
Collaborated on the production of all elements of the campaign, including strategy, vision, tone and critical path; developed key storytelling components that showcased the human impact of gender budgeting; led communications campaign to drive engagement.
Produced all communications and design materials, including logos, graphics, posters, and signage; wrote messaging and copy for web and print materials; managed endorsements; wrote key messaging.
Organized press conferences and media events with 30+ journalists, including Toronto’s first “Play In” in front of the Mayor’s office at City Hall and a Valentine’s pledge for women and families. Watch coverage on Global News.
Planned Gender Budget Town Hall with 200+ attendees; secured high-profile speakers; developed learning materials and facilitated workshop sessions for participants; managed media.
Gender Budget Town Hall:
Gender Equity in the City Budget was Toronto’s first public meeting on how to incorporate gender equity into the way Toronto budgets. Over 200 attendees heard presentations from gender budgeting experts, participated in round-table discussions on how to apply a gender equity lens to Toronto’s City Budget, and provided clear call-to-actions on how we can improve equity in the city.
Organized, planned, promoted, and led Councillor Wong-Tam’s Gender-Budget Town Hall. Designed and produced collaterals, secured high-profile speakers; developed learning materials, facilitated workshop sessions for participants, and liaised with media.
Play-In and Press Conference:
Organized Play-In For Childcare Funding Press Conference in front of the Mayor’s office with advocacy groups, Councillors, and families. Drafted and distributed press releases, coordinated speakers and attendees, organized interviews with key spokespeople.
Select Media Coverage:
Read: Kids and Parents Hold Play Protest At City Hall.
Organized press conferences and media events with 30+ journalists, drafted and distributed press releases, coordinated speakers and attendees, organized interviews with key spokespeople.