Anjum Sultana: 2014

Recently named a 2020 Global Woman of Distinction by the NGO Committee on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, Anjum Sultana is an internationally recognized advocate for progressive public policies to create a more just and equitable society.

Currently, Anjum Sultana serves as the National Director of Public Policy & Strategic Communications at YWCA Canada, the country’s oldest and largest gender equity organization. The YWCA Federation has 32 member associations and works in 300 communities across Canada.

Anjum is an accomplished public speaker and a frequently cited expert and commentator in digital, print, radio, and TV platforms. Her media and policy commentary has been featured on networks and publications such as Apolitical, CBC, CityTv, CTV, First Policy Response, Healthy Debate, National Observer, New Canadian Media, Now Toronto, Public Policy Forum, The Walrus, Toronto Sun, and TVO.

 Anjum holds a Masters in Public Health from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Anjum serves on the boards of the Regent Park Community Health Centre, Toronto Environmental Alliance and the Council of Agencies Serving South Asians. She is also founding advisor of Progress Toronto and served as Canadian delegate at the 2019 G7 Youth Summit in Paris, France through Young Diplomats of Canada. Anjum has previously organized with and contributed to advocacy campaigns led by Canadian Doctors for Refugee Health Care, the Decent Work and Health Network, and OHIP for All. Anjum is active in the Muslim community and has volunteered with organizations such as the Canadian-Muslim Vote, Muslim Awards of Excellence, Muslim Youth Fellowship, and Naseeha Mental Health.

 Anjum is also the founder of Millennial Womxn in Policy, a grassroots organization and community of practice that connects more than 3,000 young women and non-binary people working in policy across North America and Europe in civil society, politics, private sector and public service. Since 2018, Millennial Womxn in Policy has hosted over 12 events in cities across Canada including Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.