The Policies Matter Project undertook a significant gender-based analysis of policy and the impact of policy intersections on women who experience violence, and the project constitutes a remarkable contribution to the violence against women (VAW) sector.

This report presents the key activities and outcomes of the Policies Matter Project. It summarizes the groundwork laid by earlier reports and refocuses on the policy intersections that inadvertently put women who experience violence at increased risk, while also proposing a framework for assessing the determinants of women’s safety. The report catalogues many of the services, interventions and innovations being undertaken by various service providers to address the front-line realities experienced by women, and to advance women’s safety and equality.

Gender inequities still persist across the City of Toronto. Women, girls, trans and non-binary individuals face higher rates of violence and continue to be murdered by their partners and ex-partners at a substantially higher rate than men. Women are more likely to be unemployed, in precarious work and still make less money than their male counterparts. And yet, they make up 52% of the population. The experience of being a Torontonian is indeed gendered, and these experiences are further impacted by race, immigration status, disability, sexuality and socio-economic status.

Despite a long history of women’s policy advocacy, the idea that women’s interests should be incorporated into the policy process is still relatively new. Integrating an intersectional gender analysis to policies, services and programs requires dedicated time, resources, capacity building, constant community engagement as well as a willingness for change. Our deputation to the Executive Committee reinforced the need for a Gender Equity strategy across the City of Toronto.

The Policies Matter tool shows common policy impacts experienced by women and the ways in which policies and policy areas intersect. The tool also demonstrates the barriers within programs and practices that women often face. The Policies Matter tool was initially developed as part of the Policies Matter Project between 2011 and 2013.

The Policies Matter Project was funded by Status of Women Canada and was carried out in partnership with The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic and Elizabeth Fry Toronto. The project undertook a significant gender-based analysis of policy and the impact of policy intersections on women who experience violence. We work to keep this tool updated to demonstrate the impact of policies and intersecting policies on women as well as to support with policy advocacy. The tool is not exhaustive and does not purport to be a complete reflection of all experiences of policy impacts.