Sikhs Across Canada to Mark February 14th By Serving at Women’s Shelters

Ottawa (February 12, 2014):  After successfully delivering baked goods, valentines cards and chocolates to women’s shelters last year, Sikh communities across Canada, with the assistance of the World Sikh Organization of Canada along with Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen and local gurdwaras and Khalsa schools will once again be joining the One Billion Rising movement to make February 14, 2014 a “day of action” to volunteer and serve at women’s shelters.

One Billion Rising began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS.  Join activists around the world for One Billion Rising, the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls.

In the spirit of the Sikh tradition of Langar or the free community kitchen, the Sikh community of BC's Lower Mainland, Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen and the World Sikh Organization of Canada are joining One Billion Rising to serve women and children in women's shelters.  

Similar events are being held in Calgary, Toronto and Montreal in partnership with Sikh communities and shelters in those cities. 

Sikhs will be baking or buying treats and dropping them off at designated drop off centres by the evening of February 12th.  An ingredient list for all baked goods will be needed in case of allergies. Nuts should be avoided.

On February 14th, Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen and World Sikh Organization of Canada will deliver the treats to local women's shelters.

For more information, please contact:

Vancouver:  Jasbir Kaur Randhawa (778-836-9780)

Calgary:  Sehajvir Singh (403) 470-2000

Toronto:  Gurjiwan Singh (647) 998-8614

Montreal:  Amrit Kaur (514) 994-0714

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status.