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Invidiata keynote speaker at The Dinner Party By Dominik Kurek OAKVIILLE BEAVER STAFF International Women's Day has been celebrated for 102 years around the world, with celebrations in Oakville the last few years. Having attended the local event for the past two years, the 2013 keynote speaker Shae Invidiata said the event is growing. More importantly, Invidiata is pleased to see that men are attending as well as local women. "What I love seeing is how many more men, just from the years I've been (going), are attending," said the Oakville anti-human trafficking activist and founder of free-them. "It's important for men in our community, whether they're politicians or just community members, to really support the movement of women, not just in our community of Oakville, but acknowledging their presence and what women contribute to society overall." Invidiata will be speaking at Oakville's edition of the world-wide day that's been dubbed the International Women's Day Dinner Party on Thursday, March 7 at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre. The event is hosted by the Women of Halton Action Movement (WHAM) and Zonta of Oakville. It raises funds for Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (S.A.V.I.S.) and Canadians in Support of Invidiata will be speaking about a topic she knows well -- human trafficking -- at the event. According to her organization, free-them, there are more than 26 million people in slavery today. Human trafficking is the fastest growing crime on the planet and is a $32-billion industry. Eighty per cent of individuals trafficked are women and 70 per cent of victims are trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. "I really want to highlight empowering women to be a part of society to make change," said Invidiata, noting she speaks about human trafficking, which predominantly affects women and children, with the hope of empowering women to work to restore dignity to those caught in the web of human trafficking, who in turn could become entrepreneurs and start their own ripple effect in society and affect change. The conference centre is at 2515 Wyecroft Rd. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner, followed by the speaker at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $50. Call SAVIS at 905-825-3622 for more information. 7 · Thursday, February 28, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Shae Invidiata Afghan Women (C.S.A.W.). Considering the achievements of the women who have spoken at the Oakville event in the past, Invidiata said she's honoured to have been asked to speak this year. Furthermore, being in the room is an inspiration, she said. "You're in a room with a lot of entrepreneurs, a lot of creative women -- women who have started different charities right within our community," said the 28-year-old Invidiata. "That's always an inspiring evening to be part of, to be around people who are like-minded and wanting to make change, whether it's for women, in particular, or society as a whole." THEY BRING YOU THE NEWS ON TIME ALL THE TIME And they do it with a smile, regardless of the weather. Vote for the 2012 G1, G2 DRIVING SCHOOL 1395 Abbeywood Drive, Unit #3, Oakville, L6M 3B2 (Located in the No Frills Plaza) Carrier of the Year TO NOMINATE YOUR CARRIER T CALL CIRCULATION AT: OR EMAIL YOUR VOTE TO: tdaly@oakvillebeaver.com TO STOP! LOOK NO FURTHER! Four Day Course 9:00 am ­ 2:15 pm March 11, 12, 13, 14, March 29, 30, 31, April 1 Saturday/Sunday 9:00 am ­ 2:15 pm March 9, 10, 16, 17 Book Now April 13, 14, 20, 21 For March Evening 4:30 pm ­ 9:45 pm Break March 18, 20, 25, 27 905-484-3435 g1g2drivingschool@yahoo.com www.g1-g2.com Do you wish to enroll in a driving school that is caring, provides thorough training and affordable? $ 445 plus HST Regular Cost 00 905-631-6095 $ 65000 · Ministry of Transportation approved Beginner Driver Education course provider. · New vehicle and new in-class learning facility. Effective driver training is proven to save lives. For info or to enroll visit www.yd.com or call 289.644.2374 You'll always want what is best for your child. When it comes to driver training, you cannot cut corners. Young Drivers of Canada teaches in-car life-saving emergency braking and swerving techniques. Knowing how to drive safely means having the skills to react to the unexpected. Oakville 125 Lakeshore Rd. E. Suite 305 Mar 9 - 2 wknds Mar 11 - 4 days Burlington 2465 Walkers Line 1 block south of Dundas Mar 9 - 4 days Mar 13 - 4 days MTO APPROVED BEGINNER DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE PROVIDER ISO 9001:2008 Registered