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 and welcome remarks from Hope for Refugees International
- Setting the scene – Conference Overview and Objectives
- Entertainment
- Keynote Address: “Empowering Voices: The Urgency of SRHR and Gender Equity for Refugees and Newcomers.”
Lillian Tumusiime Aine Executive Director – Hope for Refugees International (HRI)
Patrick Mwesigye – Founder and Program Manager, Hope for Refugees International
Zambezi Culture and Arts
The Crossroads Clinic, Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto
10:45 – 11:10 AM
Coffee Break and Networking
All
11:00 – 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.
Sr. Rose Mutu
Refugee/Newcomer from Kenya, a professional Healthcare provider (Nurse) and an SRHR advocate
Marie Claud Felicien
Director of Primary Health Care Services at Women’s Health in Women’s Hands.
Roya Haghiri-Vijeh PhD, MN (Hon), BN, RN,
Assistant Professor – School of Nursing, York University
TBC
The Crossroads Clinic, Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto
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.
Adinne Schwartz
Sexual Health Promoter, Toronto Public Health
Richard Teixeira
Sexual Health Promoter – Toronto Public Health
Amanda Richards
Sexual Health Promoter – Toronto Public Health
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.
Ian McKnight (he/him/his)
Director, Programs and Services
PWA (Toronto People With AIDS Foundation)
Ssimba Aloysius Anna (She/her/hers)
Transwoman, HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ Activist and a Refugee
Executive Director – Ann Foundation
Susan Shumba
Southern African Settlement Support Centre (SASSC)
Dave Kerr
Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
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.
Sahara Mohamed Sheikh, Founder Find the Light Organization
Pauline Wagari – Kenyan Women In Canada Association
Danielle Warren – Manager of Programs and Development, Aura Freedom International
Teresa Dremetsikas – Program Manager, Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture
Shirley Gillet – Executive Director, I Do! Project
Sami Pritchard – Director of Advocacy and Communication, YWCA Toronto
03:00 – 04:00 PM
Closing Session
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.