TORONTO: The “We Are Your Sisters” (WAYS) campaign is aimed at supporting the fight against rape, human trafficking and violence against women. Last year WAYS raised over $10,000 for Prajwala, a women’s shelter in India which helps rescue and rehabilitate women who have been raped or trafficked.

This year WAYS aims to make an impact both in India and Canada by partnering with the South Asian Women’s Centre. In July, the Founder and Executive Director of We Are Your Sisters (WAYS), Retu Jalhan, alongside Kripa Shekar, Director of the South Asian Women’s Centre (SAWC), agreed to partner for this year’s Yogathon.

After the recent news of Mrs. Jagtar Gill’s murder in Barrhaven, Ontario, and Mrs. Anita Summan’s murder in Brampton, Ontario, it has become increasingly apparent that more support is needed in the Ontario region to get South Asian Women out of violent relationships. By partnering with SAWC a portion of the funds raised by the 2014 Yogathon will go to the centre’s support and counseling programs for South Asian Women in North America who are trapped in physically and sexually abusive situations. The remaining funds will again be sent to the Prajwala organization in order to support their ongoing programs to rescue and rehabilitate rape and trafficking survivors in India.

This year, the yogathons will be held in Toronto at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre on October 18 and in Ottawa at the Glebe Community Centre on October 19.

Participants can join as individuals or as a team of two to complete 108 sun salutations. Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of $40 to participate and can register online at:

www.weareyoursisters.com/events.

For more information, contact the “We Are Your Sisters” founding team members:

Retu Jalhan at 407-690-6763

Aanchal Dogra at 647-864-9142

Meenakshi Sharma at 613-276-8659.

In addition you can reach out to Kripa Shekar or Manivillie Kanagasabapathy at 416-537-2276.

We Are Your Sisters: www.weareyoursisters.com

South Asian Women’s Centre www.sawc.org