This hybrid session is a part of the CBABC Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Series.
Join Rumana Monzur, counsel with the Department of Justice, and author, Denise Chong, for a conversation about the book, "Out of Darkness: Rumana Monzur's Journey through Betrayal, Tyranny and Abuse" (on sale April 23, 2024) which chronicles Monzur's coming back from a brutal domestic assault that left her blind. In sharing a story that spotlights the global issue of intimate partner violence, this session prompts a meaningful dialogue about the systems, values and institutions that enable and perpetuate violence and how to address the problem.
ABOUT OUR GUEST SPEAKERS
About Rumana Monzur
Rumana Monzur is proof that hope survives adversity. In 2011, Rumana's world went dark—she lost her sight when her husband attacked her in a brutal assault. In facing blindness and hardship, she held on to the person she always was, who believed in celebrating life. At the time of the assault, a lecturer in international Relations at Dhaka University and with a master’s thesis in progress at the University of British Columbia, she prepared to change careers. All while learning to live without sight, she completed her master’s degree at UBC (MA, 2013) and took up the study of law there (JD, 2017). She is currently a counsel at the Department of Justice Canada in Vancouver.
About Denise Chong
Denise Chong is the author of prize-winning books that portray the lives of ordinary people caught in the eye of history. Best known for her family memoir, The Concubine's Children, she has straddled two worlds: public policy and writing. It has been noted that in her early career in the 1970s as an economist in Ottawa "she was a trailblazer for the more inclusive public service that was to come." Named in 2013 to the Order of Canada for "writing books that raise our social consciousness", Denise's books include The Girl in the Picture, about the napalm girl of the Vietnam War, and Egg on Mao, a story of love and defiance in China of 1989. She lives in Ottawa.
Photo by Monique de St. Croix
About Ryan R. Dawodharry
After obtaining his Juris Doctor from the University of Saskatchewan Ryan was called to the Bar in BC in 2014. Ryan’s practice at Justice Canada focusses on extradition, mutual legal assistance and criminal law. He also leads regional and national efforts towards improving inclusivity and equity within the Department of Justice and serves as a member of the national CBA Equality Subcommittee. Ryan recently received an award from the Deputy Minister of Justice for his leadership in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Outside of work, Ryan also mentors law students through the CBA and he is working towards completing UBC’s Anti-Racism certificate program by the end of this year. Ryan is a second generation Canadian with Kashmiri and Mauritian ancestry.
ACKNOWLEDGING FIRST NATIONS TERRITORIES
This webinar is hosted by CBABC, which is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam First Nations. We encourage our members to explore the rich history and knowledge of Indigenous people, and to continue learning about their experience in Canada, past and present.
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS - FOR VIRTUAL PARTICIPANTS
We recommend all participants review these requirements and run the test at least 48-hours before the course date to ensure proper access to the webinar.
ZOOM - We will be using Zoom for this webinar. If you have not used Zoom before, familiarize yourself with the platform --
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You will be sent the webinar link and log-in instructions
24-hours before the webinar.
• Pre-reading materials will be sent with the webinar instructions. Additional materials may be sent post-session.
• The webinar audio will be delivered over the computer. Please check that your computer speakers are working properly before you join the session. Participants who require transcript or other audio assistance can turn on these settings once you join the Zoom webinar room.
• Headphones or speakers are recommended for the best sound quality
Participant Disclaimer- This is to confirm that you have agreed with the following terms and conditions:
All materials related to this course are for the sole use of the above said registrant, which may not be copied, reproduced, uploaded, posted, publicly displayed, translated, distributed, shared, modified, made available on a network or other website, used to create derivative works, or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without the prior express written permission of the Canadian Bar Association.
Cancellation Policy
Once payment has been processed there will be no refund issued. To cancel your attendance, please contact the PD Department at PD@cbabc.org. No refunds will be issued to non-attendees.