Syrian Brides and the Global Compact on Refugees

At the same time, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Report (TRC) of 2015 reiterates how the histories of colonialism are still persistent and need to be addressed in our curriculum, research, and policy. [...] In support of Canada’s leading role in the advancement of refugee issues and the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), and informed by its feminist approach to foreign policy and FIAP which “comes with “aggressive” funding targets for gender equality and women’s empowerment” (CCIC, 2017), it is important to scrutinize the notion of gender empowerment and related notions, such as [...] At the core of FIAP is to support efforts towards Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls, particularly through supporting initiative to reduce sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), advance women’s rights, enhance services to women and girls and improving gender analysis (Canada’s FIAP, 2017). [...] In the same vein, Paragraphs 74 and 75 of the GCR reiterate attention to gender equality, empowerment and gender responsiveness through recognizing that girls and women face unique experiences and obstacles because of their gender. [...] It, hence, encourages states and relevant stakeholders to “adopt and implement policies and programmes to empower women and girls in refugee and host communities, and to promote full enjoyment of their human rights, as well as equality of access to services and opportunities–while also taking into account the particular needs and situation of men and boys” (GCR–Final Draft, 2018, 14).