1. Website: http://grandmothersadvocacy.org
Advocating for grandmothers, vulnerable children and youth in sub-Saharan Africa
Website:
02/25/16

2. Who we are Grandmothers Advocacy Network (GRAN) is:
a dynamic network of several hundred volunteers across Canada
a national civil society organization
registered as a non-profit under the Society’s Act
non-partisan – we advocate positions on issues, not political parties
Grew out of the G2G Campaign 2006: Toronto Statement “We have offered and they have accepted – the loan of our voices. We pledge,,, We will not rest until they can rest”
At first a committee of the G2G National Action Committee that lead the CAMR Campaign.
By mutual agreement in November 2011 became separate identities. By spring 2013 we have a nwe identity (GRAN) and logo and are duly registered as a non profit under the Society’s Act.
01/09/2015

3. Our Goal We advocate in meaningful and strategic ways
To improve the human rights of grandmothers, vulnerable children and youth in sub-Saharan Africa
To raise awareness on issues
To convince Canada’s government and global organizations/funders to support policies and programs that improve human rights and gender equity
01/09/2015

4. What we do… Research our priority issues Educate ourselves and others
Develop policy positions & advocacy strategies
Partner with Canadian & global organizations interested in advancing similar issues
01/09/2015

5. What we do
Raise awareness & mobilize action (grassroots Update, direct messages, media, social media, campaigns, petitions, events, presentations, speakers…)
Meet & communicate our ideas with MPs, Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary committees, other organizations (UN) & global leaders
01/09/2015

6. Karina Gould, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Patty Hajdu,  Minister of Status of Women.
Discussed Child Early and Forced Marriage, Education for girls and violence against women and girls.
GRAN meets with Parl Secretaries to the Ministers of Int’l Dev and Foreign Affairs April 2016
01/01/2014

7. How we are organized…. Grassroots – GRAN participants GRAN groups
Regional leaders
Steering Committee
Leadership Team
GRAN Co chairs
GRAN participant is anyone who shares our mission and values – strongly urged to register as a participant by going to the GRAN website
Some GRANs have joined to form groups with a leadership structure, meetings and events.
Others operate alone as individual advocates
Organized into geographic regions and supported by regional leaders Ontario South East – Joyce and Sharon
The Steering Committee is made up of regional leads, working group leads and the Leadership Team
The Steering Committee guides and coordinates our work – ie approves Campaigns and Advocacy Actions
Leadership Team acts as our executive committee - manage finances and website and communications ie news posts, updates, direct action messages
Co Chairs organize SC meetings and create agenda and are the corporate face of GRAN - signing off on letters to Ministers etc.
01/09/2015

8. How we are organized Three Working Groups Hill Team Web Team
Access to Medicines
Education
End Violence Against Women
Hill Team
Web Team
Fundraising Team
Organize ourselves around our priorities.
01/09/2015

9. Keeping connected GRAN Web Site Monthly SC teleconferences
WG Skype calls
GRAN Updates news posts and direct messages
Fifth AGM (via telcon) May 10 3:00 pm
Bi Annual “Hello Friends” 2018
Annual General Meeting as required – Annual Report, Financial Report, Open discussion on Growing the Grassroots. All are welcome. Let is know by a quick emial to and we will send you the package.
01/09/2015

10. www.grandmothersadvocacy.org Login : username member Password: ssafr
01/09/2015

11. How we choose our advocacy issues
Vital importance to well being of older African women
Politically opportune & timely to pursue
Can have an impact on this issue
Opportunities to collaborate with credible CSOs at local/national/international levels
Have capacity & expertise to take action
01/09/2014

12. Current Priority Issues
Access to affordable, life-saving medicines needed in SSAfr, especially to fight HIV/AIDS
Equitable, quality education and life-long learning
Ending violence against women of all ages, including child, early and forced marriage and violence in conflict areas
01/09/2015

13. Some Recent Campaigns
“Fair Shot” campaign in partnership with MSF to reduce cost of pediatric pneumonia vaccine in developing countries
Orange Campaign with UN Women to end violence against women and girls globally
Campaign with Girls Not Brides to end child marriage
01/09/2015

14. Campaigns…
Replenishment of the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria
Campaign to support funding for Global Partnership for Education
Campaign against clauses in TPP that will damage access to medicines
01/09/2015

15. Examples of GRAN Partners & Memberships
HIV/AIDS Legal Network
Global Treatment Access Group
International Coalition on AIDS & Development
Global Partnership for Education
Medecins Sans Frontieres
Girls Not Brides (globally 700+ organizations in 70+ countries)
Women, Peace & Security Network
01/09/2015

16. Opportunities Many campaign successes
Making a difference on issues affecting women & children in SSAfr.
Appreciated by partners, gov’ts: invited to UN, GoC forums
Stimulating team-work, learning, having fun
Reaching beyond ourselves, improving own lives
01/i2015

17. Challenges Financial sustainability Growing the grassroots
Identifying and encouraging new GRAN leaders
Connecting with African grandmothers
Trip to Uganda January
Uganda Trip January 14 to 27.
This trip will afford GRAN participants the opportunity to learn first hand from the grandmothers themselves their advocacy priorities and to witness their amazing resilience and fortitude in the face of the AIDS pandemic.
01/09/2015