Date: May 9th to 10th, 2025
Venue: 163 Queen St, Toronto, ON M7A 2H6
Theme: “Empowering Voices, Ensuring Rights: Advancing Sexual Health and Gender Equity in Crisis Settings”
Day 1: May 9, 2025 – Setting the Stage
08:00 – 09:00 AM
Arrival and registration
Responsible: HRI Secretariate
09:00 – 10:45 AM
Opening ceremony
- Official opening remarks from Hope for Refugees International
- Entertainment
- Welcome remarks from MPP, Toronto St. Paul’s
- Keynote Address: “Empowering Voices: The Urgency of SRHR and Gender Equity for Refugees and Newcomers.”
Responsibles:
Lillian Tumusiime Aine Executive Director – Hope for Refugees International (HRI)
Zambezi Culture and Arts
Hon. Jill Andrew
10:45 – 11:10 AM
Coffee Break and Networking
All
11:10 – 1:00 PM
Plenary Session 1
“Ensuring Rights, Dignity, and Access: SRHR Challenges and Solutions for Refugees and Newcomers”
Description: This panel will delve into the current state of sexual health, reproductive rights, maternal and child health services, and gender equity in refugees and newcomers in Canada and globally.
Responsible: TBC
1:00 – 02:00 PM
Networking Lunch
Responsible: HRI Secretariate
02:00 – 04:30 PM
Workshop
Topic: “Empowering Refugees: Enhancing Sexual Reproductive Health Knowledge and Access”
Session Description
This is an informative session aimed at empowering Black African refugees, newcomers, and asylum seekers, including LGBTQ+ with essential knowledge and resources regarding sexual reproductive health.
Responsible: TBC
Poster Presentation (Abstracts)
Throughout the conference’s two days, posters and abstracts will be displayed alongside conference sessions. Attendees are encouraged to allocate time to visit the poster presentation booth, where they can explore the work of presenters, engage in discussions, ask questions, and network effectively.
Day 2: May 10, 2025 – Taking Action
09:00 – 09:30 AM
Arrival and registration
Responsible: HRI Secretariate
09:30 – 11:30 AM
Plenary Session 3
“Breaking Barriers: Tackling HIV/AIDS Stigma, Improving Access and Promoting Equity in HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care for Black Refugees and Newcomers.”
Session Description:
The dedicated plenary session on “Breaking Barriers: Tackling HIV/AIDS Stigma, Improving Access, and Promoting Equity in HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care for Black Refugees and Newcomers” will explore the unique challenges faced by black and LGBTQ+ refugees and newcomers in accessing HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support services. The session aims to address the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, identify barriers to care, and discuss strategies to promote equity in healthcare delivery for black and LGBTQ+ refugees living with HIV/AIDS.
Responsible: TBC
11:30 – 1:00 PM
Entertainment, Networking, and Lunch.
All
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Roundtable Fireside Chat
“Bridging Gaps: Integrating SGBV Prevention with Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for Refugees and Newcomers”
Session Description:
This roundtable fireside chat will explore the critical intersection between Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) prevention and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, with a focus on refugees, newcomers, and asylum seekers. The session will examine the unique challenges faced by marginalized populations—particularly women, girls, survivors of violence, sex and human trafficking, and LGBTQ+ individuals—in accessing comprehensive SRH services while navigating the impacts of SGBV and deeply entrenched harmful practices.
Responsible: TBC
03:00 – 04:00 PM
Closing Session
Responsibles:
Pastor Eddy Jumba, Board Member – Hope for Refugees International
Patrick Mwesigye, Founder and Program
Poster Presentation (Abstracts)
Throughout the conference’s two days, posters and abstracts will be displayed alongside conference sessions. Attendees are encouraged to allocate time to visit the poster presentation booth, where they can explore the work of presenters, engage in discussions, ask questions, and network effectively.