Throughout Canadian history, Black women have faced slavery, discrimination in healthcare, segregation in education, and workplace inequities. Despite these challenges, Black communities have continuously resisted oppression, advocating for justice, dignity, and equality through collective action. However, systemic white supremacy persists, reinforcing structural violence and gendered racism against Black women and girls.

This publication builds on the notable sacrifices and tireless fight for equality led by researchers, activists, and community leaders who have long advocated for social justice and equity. Their collective and unwavering dedication continues to drive the dismantling of systemic barriers and actively challenge the bias and discrimination faced by Black women.

The diverse identities within Latin American communities in Canada stem from a colonial history that erased their complexities and reinforced racial and gender inequalities—practices that persist today. This report offers a glimpse into the historical forces shaping Latina women’s experiences, encouraging reflection on how neoliberal policies both homogenize and divide communities, ultimately maintaining systems of control and inequality.

This work builds on the tireless efforts of researchers, activists, and community leaders who have long been advocating for justice and equity. Their contributions remain central to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by Latina women.

The healthcare system is one of the most used public services by survivors of intimate partner violence, however the barriers to healthcare access are significantly increased for survivors who are older than 55 and living with disabilities. 

The aim of this brief is to increase awareness of the unique needs and experiences of older survivors living with disabilities in accessing and using health services. It offers an intersectional analysis about barriers to access, abuse tactics related to health, experiences with service delivery and health professionals, and how these practices directly and indirectly impact a survivor’s health. 

Indigenous, Black and Racialized women face unique, intersecting, and compounding forms of gender and racial discrimination that impact their employment opportunities and experiences in the workplace.

This brief provides an overview of the structural and individual dimensions of gender and racial discrimination and how this intersection impacts the opportunities and experiences of Indigenous, Black, and Racialized women in Canadian workplaces. Additionally, it spotlights the intersection of gender-based violence in the workplace.

Crises cause disruptions and changes to structures, systems, and patterns, but the extent and magnitude of the disruptions or changes are rarely understood. This is especially true in prolonged crises or the case of an already precarious industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the GBV sector faced these changes, but little was known about their extent and magnitude.

This issue brief reviews the main changes that were experienced in the sector, highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors and service provision sectors. The brief informs policy formulation on service sector re-categorization, service provision support, and intra- and inter-sector collaborations. These findings are intended to be useful for policymakers, legislators, and administrators.

Older women living with disabilities face various forms of abuse, often underreported due to barriers like stigma and isolation.

This issue brief raises awareness about the structural disadvantages faced by older women (65+) with disabilities experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) in the areas of financial security, employment, and housing. Using literature and data from a Canadian and American context, this brief highlights the challenges and barriers faced by IPV survivors living at the intersections of gender, age, and disability.

Violations of the right to housing are largely gendered, with women and gender-diverse people more likely to experience inadequate housing and homelessness. The right to housing is defined as all individuals having the right to safe and adequate housing. As such, women living in violent homes are also experiencing a direct violation of their right to housing.

This issue brief explores the connections between the right to housing and violence against women. The brief looks at the connections between homelessness and violence and the key barriers to survivors obtaining safe, adequate and permanent housing.

Public transit is a gender issue. While women are more likely to use public transit, they also face increased barriers to accessing transit, mainly, risks to their safety. Access to public transit is critical for people’s mobility and economic participation.

This issue brief explores women’s unique travel patterns and needs, including changes to women’s travel patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The brief also looks at women’s safety on public transit and outlines policies and practices to improve safety on transit.

Intimate partner violence can have an impact on a survivor’s employment. Intimate partner violence can lead to job instability and loss. This can be because of poor mental health, trauma, relocation and sabotage by an abusive partner.

This issue brief explores employment sabotage and disruption, a form of economic abuse that involves tactics used by an abuser to prevent their partner or ex-partner from working, or progressing in their career.

In January 2021, the Canadian government announced a commitment to develop a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. Leading up to the development of the Plan, we undertook consultations with community organizations and survivors on what they wanted to see in the Plan.

The report provides an overview of what we heard from consultations, including key messages and priorities for the Plan.