Dear friends of West Coast LEAF,
A few weeks ago, the team at West Coast LEAF bid a fond farewell to outgoing Executive Director Kasari Govender. Kasari is going on to be BC’s first human rights commissioner in 17 years, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for her (and for the future of human rights in BC).
Over the past three and a half years, I’ve been proud to work alongside the fabulous and fierce team at West Coast LEAF as the Director of Litigation.Today, I’m delighted to be writing to you in a new capacity – as West Coast LEAF’s new Executive Director. I’m grateful to the board and staff of West Coast LEAF for the confidence and trust they’ve placed in me.
Since 1985 when West Coast LEAF was founded, we’ve punched well above our weight advocating for sex and gender equality through a critical, intersectional, feminist analysis. Our impact is a direct result of your support. Thank you for all you’ve done to help us advocate and educate over the years through law reform, public legal education, and litigation efforts. There’s so much more to do!
I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work with our incredible staff team. We have an exciting fall ahead of us, with the launch of our child protection report, the kick off our annual report card with a deeper focus that reflects our more inclusive mandate, and the good news that our case to ensure access to justice for people fleeing abuse and violence is going ahead to trial.
I’m proud that we strive to make our work collaborative and consultative, and we will continue to deepen and strengthen our relationships with community. I’m especially excited to continue our efforts to decolonize our work, and to ensure we reflect the big tent feminism to which we’re committed.
I look forward to my new role leading West Coast LEAF’s dedicated, brilliant, and passionate staff team as together — with all of you — we continue our fight for gender equality, justice, and accountability.
I can’t wait to see all we can accomplish together,
Raji
P.S. You can read my staff bio here.