EXIT
THIS SITE NOW

Over the last several decades, an increase in the number of dual-earner and single families across Canada has steadily risen the demand for affordable, quality childcare. Close to half (46%) of the Canadian population relies on childcare, and this number is expected to increase as more parents become dual-earners. Significantly, the availability of open, affordable child care options has not grown parallel to its demand. Across Canada, “776,000 children live in communities where at least three children are competing for one spot in a licensed daycare” (Macdonald, Friendly, 2019). Without access to child care, parents are unable to return to work and in many instances, women exit the workforce to care for children.  

Canadians are in desperate need of a publicly funded and managed child care strategy that is affordable, high quality, accessible and inclusive. We think you should support the Affordable Child Care for All Plan:


​​As illustrated above, nine provinces and all territories across Canada are failing to meet the average need of childcare. Without federal intervention, many families will not have access to licensed establishments and the unmet childcare need of 24.51% will continue to grow wider if left unaddressed. 

Across Canada, only one province, Quebec has enough space to accommodate 50% of young people aged 0-12, surpassing the national average. Affordable, high quality childcare benefits everyone. 

BENEFITS  

  1. A well-educated and trained childcare sector allows for the enhanced development of our young minds, intellectually, cognitively, socially and physically setting learning opportunities for lifelong success  
  2. An investment in childcare drives growth within two industries  
  3. The childcare sector will create new jobs to fill the need for additional or new childcare spaces   
  4. The infrastructure sector will see a significant investment into the number of expansion and new establishments projects  
  5. For parents, it allows opportunities to contribute to the economic sector, by continuing to maintain jobs while raising families and reduces their reliance or risk of reliance on social welfare. When Canadians can support themselves, they contribute into the growth of the economy   

    Show your support at: https://timeforchildcare.ca/about-us/ 

Last night we had over 75 people come out to our Annual General Meeting for our Women Vote 2019 event. We welcomed CityNews Toronto reporter Cynthia Mulligan who sat down with four women federal candidates in the upcoming election for a discussion on gender equality.

The panel was made up of:

Hannah Conover Arthurs, Green Party of Canada Davenport Candidate

Andrea Vasquez Jimenez, New Democratic Party of Canada York Centre Candidate

Jasveen Rattan, Comservative Party of Canada York South-Weston Candidate

Salma Zahid, Liberal Party of Canada Scarborough Centre Candidate

The panel discussed issues related to equal pay, childcare, gender-based violence and women in politics. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and questions posed included “How will your government ensure budgets have a gendered lens?”, “How will your government support women in STEM fields across Canada?” and “How will your government support women living with disabilities?”

As the campaigns kick off, we ask the different parties to put equity issues at the center of the federal election. We encourage you to think about gender equality issues as you review election platforms, speak with candidates and head to the polls.

The 2019 federal election will soon be upon us and we want all federal party leaders to tell Canadians what their positions are on women’s and gender equality issues. WomanACT is proud to be a part of the Up For Debate 2019 alliance.

Up for Debate 2019 is a campaign coordinated by an alliance of women’s rights and gender equality advocates from across Canada.

The last Federal Leaders’ Debate on women’s issues in Canada was on August 14, 1984 – 35 years ago now. And yet, women, trans, non-binary, and two-spirit people in Canada still face many of the same barriers today, including:

During the 2019 federal election, the Up For Debate Alliance is calling on all federal party leaders to commit to a national televised debate to share their priorities on women’s rights and gender equality. Jagmeet Singh of the NDP and Elizabeth May of the Green Party have pledged to participate, but we’re still waiting on a commitment from the Liberals, the Conservatives, and the Bloc Québécois. When it comes time to elect our next government in 2019, we want party leaders to explain how they plan to build a more equitable Canada for all.

For information on the campaign or to sign our petition, please visit https://ywcacanada.ca/upfordebate/

Incoming university and college students across Canada are excited to begin a new chapter. Many parents will lecture their children on maintaining healthy study habits, keeping their dorm rooms clean and organized, and practicing good budgeting skills. Conversations some parents may not have with these young adults are about the increased risk of sexual violence across higher education campuses.

The highest rates of sexual violence on campus occur within the first year of higher education, and the most incidents occur within the first few weeks on campus (Canadian Federation of Students, 2015). The widespread availability of technology and social media has influenced sexual and health education. Subsequently, much of this media has spread misinformation on appropriate behaviours pertaining to healthy relationships and sexual activities. This missed opportunity to educate young minds on safety in dating contributes to the rise in unhealthy relationships and dating across higher education campuses in Canada. Without parental intervention, many young people are entering this uncertain period in their lives lacking clear direction, and misinformed practices on navigating safe and healthy relationships.

Recently, the Government of Ontario has released their revised version of the sexual and healthy education curriculum. The curriculum remains largely unaltered from the release in 2015, which includes much needed topics on: consent, same-sex relationships, gender, sexuality and healthy relationships. With comprehensive sexual health education curriculum, schools are well placed to facilitate conversations among young people about gender, sexuality and choice. Education is the first step in reducing sexual violence. Ontarians must learn what actions are appropriate, and which actions are respectful towards intimate partners. With education, we will be able to reduce the cycle and pervasiveness of sexual violence and rape culture. 


Canadian Federation of Students. (Spring 2015). Sexual Violence on Campus. Canadian Federation of Students. Retrieved from: https://cfs-fcee.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Sexual-Violence-on-Campus.pdf

WomanACT is proud to partner with Uber as part of Uber’s Driving Change initiative, a global commitment to support and partner with leading sexual assault and domestic violence organizations around the world. In 2017, Uber pledged $5 million to support sexual violence prevention programs, starting in the United States. This week, the initiative has expanded to include Canadian partners.

WomanACT is committed to working across sectors to create systemic change. We believe that raising awareness and engaging in national conversations on violence against women is key to getting at the root of the issue. Global movements such as “Me Too” and “TimesUp” have helped spark a global conversation on violence against women and girls, and shown just how often it is normalized. We want to build on this conversation by engaging new audiences and we see this partnership as an opportunity to reach these new audiences and raise awareness on gender-based violence. 

Working alongside national and local partners, Uber’s Driving Change initiative will develop educational materials for drivers and riders and support community prevention programs. Together, we have the opportunity to reach millions of driver-partners and riders across Canada to raise awareness, prevent gender-based violence, and promote safety within the rideshare community and throughout Canada. 

​​ “Sexual assault and gender-based violence don’t belong anywhere in our communities. Helping keep people safe is a huge responsibility and one we do not take lightly. We are committed to learning from experts like WomanACT on how we can do more to prevent violence against women and to help keep people safe” – Morva Rohani, Public Policy, Uber Canada

 “WomanACT is thrilled to work with Uber – bringing together community expertise with Uber’s scope and visibility will help community partners engage new audiences to raise awareness and prevent sexual and domestic violence.” – Harmy Mendoza, Executive Director, WomanACT

Find out more about Uber’s Driving Change Initiative

Finding adequate and affordable housing in Toronto has become increasingly difficult. For women and children looking to leave situations of domestic violence, finding safe and affordable housing can be one of the biggest barriers standing in their way of independence and safety. As a member of the External Advisory Committee for Toronto’s new Housing Plan, HousingTO 2020 – 2030 Action Plan, WomanACT recognizes the housing crisis in Toronto as posing unique challenges to women, especially those made vulnerable by their survivor, newcomer, racialized, and/or LGBTQ2S identities.
​
Over the last couple of months, WomanACT looked to our community to find answers to the question of precarious housing in Toronto. We talked with women with lived experience of housing instability and/or violence and the service providers who engage with them. Consulting with communities directed impacted by violence, poverty and/or housing insecurity is key to ensuring Toronto’s new ten year housing plan adopts a gender and trauma informed approach. Ultimately, we want to find out what can be done to help marginalized women and women experiencing violence access safe, adequate, and affordable housing that is imperative to their ongoing safety and independence. 

In our consultations, we asked what our community saw as challenges in finding housing in Toronto, what they would like to see prioritized, and any innovative ideas for the City to address these issues. Many expressed the lack of affordable private market units available, the long waitlist (of over 100 000 people) for social housing, and discrimination by landlords as some of their major concerns. They wanted to see the city prioritize private market rent control, the creation of more affordable housing units, the addition of more shelter beds, and more regulation to ensure fair treatment by landlords. Finally, our community shared its ideas for innovation with us as well, including talk about converting old parking lots into housing units, developing and funding self-contained family units for families fleeing violence instead of shelters, and even finding ways to support women to stay in their own homes after situations of domestic violence.
​
In our work with the City of Toronto’s 2020 – 2030 Housing Plan, we hope to address these unique barriers and close some of the gaps that stand between women and safe housing. WomanACT remains committed to the safety and independence of women experiencing violence, and through consulting our community, we continue to honour this commitment. 

1 in 3 employees across Canada have experienced domestic violence. Domestic violence is not restricted to the home and often extends into the workplace. As families across Canada have retreated into their homes to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, many victims are now faced with increased isolation, at times with their abuser.

Is your organization prepared to respond to domestic violence in the workplace?

Make it Our Business is a education and support program that supports you in preparing your organization to prevent and respond to domestic violence. We provide a tailored and whole company approach that allows you to build skill, knowledge and confidence to address domestic violence in the workplace. We can provide a package of:

Make It Our Business is a training provided in collaboration with the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women and Children at Western University. To speak about your organizational needs and the supports and education available, get in contact today.

WomanACT is undertaking community-based research into women’s experience of financial abuse as a form of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Toronto area.

Despite limited research on financial abuse as a form of intimate partner violence, it is clear that it is commonly used form of power and control over women. It is a complex and understudied form of violence but has an impact on a woman’s ability to flee violence and her long-term economic security.

WomanACT is working with researchers at the University of Guelph to explore the nature of financial abuse and the impact of financial abuse on women. We are also looking to better understand how financial abuse can be addressed and prevented.

The project will include a literature review as well as undertake surveys, interviews and focus groups with Women with Lived Experience of financial abuse and with service providers working in the Violence Against Women sector. The project will develop a final report with the research findings as well as hold community education workshops with service providers.

The project is funded by the City of Toronto Community Projects and Events Grant Program. 

Find out more about the project here

Ontario Thrive is a non-partisan coalition of organizations and individuals coming together to ask political leaders and candidates for measurable commitments on gender equity in the Ontario 2018 Election. We want to see all candidates put issues of justice, safety and access at the front and center of the provincial election. We believe that issues related to gender equity – gender-based violence, transit, child care, access to justice, housing are all related and require both attention and action in the Ontario election. 

The Ontario Thrive campaign is asking all candidates to complete a survey on these key issues. The results will be posted on the Ontario Thrive website by May 23rd. The campaign is also helping community members get involved in these important conversations. 

How can you get involved? 

Visit www.ontariothrive.ca to learn more and get involved. 

The Ontario election is on June 7th and WomanACT is calling for all party leaders and candidates to prioritize issues of gender equity and women’s safety.

​Approximately every 6 days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. This year in Ontario there have already been 17 victims who have died in alleged domestic violence cases. Violence against women is not only a human rights violation but has devastating physical, emotional, social and economic consequences to women. It can also have a significant impact on children, families, communities and the Canadian society as a whole. One study by Justice Canada found that spousal violence alone costs Canada $7.4 billion annually.

We need action now. The next government should: 

ENGAGE: Critically engage the Violence Against Women sector and Women with Lived Experience of violence in all aspects of policy development and system reform.

REFORM: Ensure that legislation prevents violence against women, supports survivors and their families and protects all women, without discrimination.

RESOURCE: Ensure that all systems and services that support women survivors and their families are adequately resourced.

Read our full platform here