Social Enterprise Celebrates International Women’s Day with Message to Prime Minister of Canada

Sitti Social Enterprise calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s continuing support for an inclusive global economy. 

TORONTO, ON. (March 8, 2022) - In celebration of International Women’s Day, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the recipient of a box curated by Sitti Social Enterprise or “Sitti,” with a powerful message attached. Sitti is a Toronto-based, woman-founded social enterprise and lifestyle brand that works with refugee women globally.  The box included several products handmade by refugee women artisans. It arrived with a note, encouraging the Prime Minister to consider women’s equality and Canada’s role in supporting women’s economic inclusivity. Dr. Fariha Khan, a community advocate for women and refugees who brought the IWD-themed box to Prime Minister Trudeau, stated “It’s important for our leadership to know that women in the refugee community matter to everyday Canadians.” The Prime Minister has made previous statements and enacted policy measures in support of feminism and the rights of women and girls internationally. Upon receiving the box, Prime Minister Trudeau informed his colleagues that he would bring the box to his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, an engaged advocate for gender equality. 

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. As a woman-owned and founded social enterprise and lifestyle brand, Sitti works to advance equitable employment and income-generating opportunities for women in the refugee community since 2014. Sitti’s CEO and co-founder, Noora Sharrab, incorporated the brand in her hometown of Mississauga, CA in 2016, with the support of co-founders Safiah Abu Shanin and Jacqueline Sofia. “Our products tell the story of motivated women who work hard to support their families and their communities. It’s important to us that Prime Minister Trudeau appreciates the box and understands the significance of the items inside the box. Access to fair and equitable employment for refugee women is not just important to women and their families, it is vital for economic growth and sustainability. When women thrive, the world is a better and more just place,” said Sitti’s co-founders.  The company’s impact extends to two community based partners (CBOs) and over 250 households in the Jerash Refugee Camp in Jordan. The majority of artisans working with Sitti are women who are the primary sole income-earners for their families. Sitti supports employment opportunities for refugee persons with disabilities in the camp through its partnerships.  

The social enterprise fosters valuable relationships with women-led businesses and organizations across Canada and globally. Sitti promotes economic inclusivity for refugee-made products that generate sustainable income for women in the refugee community. Sitti is a proud SheEO Venture and previous Canadian Women’s Foundation and Government of Canada grant recipient. 

Each International Women’s Day (IWD) box includes a series of Sitti’s traditionally-inspired products handmade by members of the refugee community, alongside a curated selection of products from Canadian women-owned businesses. Sitti partnered with women-owned brands Beaux Box, Paume and This Bag Helps to design the mission-driven box under the IWD 2022 theme #BreakTheBias. The goal of Sitti’s IWD box is to promote equitable employment and income-generating opportunities for refugee women. Paid work is essential to women’s empowerment - it boosts women’s confidence and self-esteem and further enables them to build self-reliance in their host countries. The Sitti International Women’s Day box can be purchased here. All Sitti products are 100% vegan, made from ethically sourced materials, biodegradable, paraben free, phthalate-free, dye-free, and alcohol-free.

“Sitti” [Si'-TEE], which means “my grandma” in Arabic, is a social enterprise, a certified women’s business enterprise (WBE) and purpose driven brand. Sitti is committed to the self-reliance of refugee and displaced communities providing long-term income-generating opportunities and skill development training empowered by an inclusive global economy.

Photographer credit: Alex Tetreault 

For more information or to arrange for an interview with Sitti’s co-founders, Noora Sharrab and Jacqueline Sofia, please contact:

Jacqueline Sofia, Co-Founder, Sitti Social Enterprise

jackie@sittisoap.com 

+1 (860) 919-8500