Meet the Advocates | Legally Right

Meet our Advocates

Welcome to our "Meet Our Activists" section, where we proudly showcase individuals who have participated in our podcasts, advocated for women's rights, and contributed significantly to our mission.

Join us as we highlight their stories, insights, and contributions to creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. Discover the diverse voices shaping the future of activism and be inspired by their journeys towards meaningful change.

Meet Dr. Ibrahim Salama

Chief of the Human Rights Treaty Branch at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and founder of the “Faith4Rights” program

Our encounter with Dr. Salama was a real eye-opener and our conversation with him was AMAZING. During our approximately 90-minute discussion, Dr. Salama graciously shared his insights on women’s rights with meticulous detail and extraordinary insight. We began by probing his thoughts on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), one of the most ratified yet reserved conventions of the United Nations, and how the CEDAW committee is addressing this challenge. Our discussion then traversed through the reoccurring themes of the week, ranging from the metaverse and education, to safety, security, employment and religion. The conversation flowed so effortlessly that we found ourselves engrossed in such an engaging dialogue. It was such a privilege to glean Dr. Salama’s perspective based on his vast experience and expertise.

One of the most resonant remarks Dr. Salama made was comparing the UN treaties to the mechanism of a watch, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and the value of soft law. Soft law refers to non-binding legal principles that lack enforceability by a court. While not legally binding, soft law instruments often carry significant moral and political weight and can influence behaviour and shape norms within the international community. It was such a great analogy!

After our insightful conversation with Dr. Ibrahim Salama, we wasted no time in harnessing the wealth of information and knowledge he shared with us. With the details fresh in our minds, we swiftly recorded our podcast episode titles “Understanding CEDAW with Dr. Ibrahim Salama”. In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of CEDAW and explore Dr. Salama’s unique insights and perspectives on this crucial topic. If you’re eager to learn more about our engaging conversation with Dr. Salama and gain a deeper understanding of CEDAW, be sure to tune into our podcast on Spotify or keep reading for more!

Knowledgably yours,

Legally Right

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Meet our Round Table Participants

Understanding Eachother: Round Table Discussion

Join us for an engaging discussion with our round table participants, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise to the conversation on women's rights. Our esteemed panel includes Claire Peacock, Jesse Villalta, Daniel Lombardo, and Gabriella D'Intino, who delve into diverse viewpoints and uncover new insights. Listen to the episode on Spotify or watch the full video on our YouTube channel.

Stay informed, stay empowered, and stay LEGALLY RIGHT!

Claire Peacock

Claire Peacock is a dedicated 27-year-old lawyer specializing in commercial litigation. With a fervent belief in gender equality, Claire views it as an ongoing journey. She emphasizes that both in Canada and abroad, true parity remains elusive. Claire believes there are subgroups within women that need more protection, recognizing that the intersectionality of race, socioeconomic status, and other factors can exacerbate vulnerabilities and disparities. Despite these challenges, Claire remains resolute in her commitment to advancing equality, determined to leverage her legal expertise, privileges and upbringing to pave the way towards a more equitable and inclusive society.

Jesse Villalta

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Jesse Villalta is a 30-year-old professional working for a leading financial institution. With a keen eye on the corporate landscape, Jesse recognizes the strides made towards gender equality, yet remains acutely aware of the challenges that persist, especially within the Canadian corporate sphere. He emphasizes the importance of continuous efforts towards fostering an environment of genuine equality, where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive. Jesse now holds a leadership role in management, where he strives to create an equitable and representative team and encourages women to take on positions of leadership.

Daniel Lombardo

Daniel Lombardo is a 21-year-old student pursuing a degree in computer engineering. While he embraces gender equality in the workplace, Daniel holds more traditional views on gender roles at home. He believes in clear distinctions between familial responsibilities, where each partner contributes based on their strengths and preferences. Despite this conservative stance on domestic roles, he firmly believes that women are human beings and should be treated as such. In Daniel’s vision of the workplace, equal opportunities are paramount, and judgements based on appearance have no place. He remains committed to fostering an equitable and respectful environment where everyone can thrive based on merit alone.

Gabriella D'Intino

Gabriella D’Intino is a 53-year-old mother of three, wife, and bank director, deeply engaged in her community. Gabriella believes that despite significant strides made by women in recent years, there’s still much work to be done to fully recognize women for their worth, actions, and contribution to society. Drawing from her personal experiences, Gabriella shares insightful reflections on the remaining challenges in achieving gender equality. Despite her traditional views on household gender roles, she recognizes the importance of flexibility in certain situations. She understands that circumstances can significantly impact dynamics at home and believes in the necessity for adaptability, regardless of personal beliefs.

Meet José Andrés Egas Loaiza

Representative of the Multi-Country Office of UNHCR in Panama

José Andrés Egas Loaiza is a sociologist and anthropologist with 18 years of field experience. His journey into humanitarian work began with a deep passion for development, leading him to volunteer in Ecuador, working with people with disabilities, and subsequently to roles in India and Ecuador, where he taught human rights. These experiences laid the foundation for his career, ultimately inspiring him to join the UNHCR after an encounter with one of their representatives during his mater’s studies.

Since June 1st, he has taken on the role of Representative of the Multi-Country Office of UNHCR in Panama. The Representative (of the High Commissioner) is the head of the agency in a specific operation. In his position as Representative (of the Multi-Country Office of UNHCR in Panama) he is responsible for overseeing all UNHCR operations in several countries, specifically Aruba, Belize, Cuba, Curacao, Guyana, Nicaragua, Suriname, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago.

As the Representative of the Multi-Country Office of UNHCR in Panama, his role is multifaceted and encompasses managerial, representational, and operational duties. His managerial role involves acting as senior management and head of the agency locally. His representational duties include serving as the head of the agency and the focal point for the government and diplomatic community. Operationally, he leads teams in the formulation of strategies and the implementation of initiatives and activities.