For ten years, Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) and other violence against women (VAW) and gender-based violence (GBV) organizations have been advocating for a National Action Plan (NAP) on VAW and GBV. At the end of 2020, WSC received funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) to develop a strategic framework for Canada’s NAP. Over three months at the beginning of 2021, more than 40 anti-violence leaders from across the country worked together to develop 100 recommendations across four pillars. Their work was compiled into a report that answers the question What will it take to achieve a Canada free of gender-based violence? and gives the federal government a ready roadmap for developing and implementing a NAP.
This report is an incredible achievement – but it’s just one step in a much longer process. Achieving the goals of the NAP will require years of work, billions of dollars in strategic investment, strong independent oversight, and the expertise of a stable, resourced VAW/GBV sector. To make sure this happens, we need your help! Keep reading to learn more and find out how to take action on the NAP and other initiatives. |
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We're ready to get the NAP on the road! Are you?
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Roadmap for a NAP on VAW and GBV
WSC submitted A report to guide the implementation of a NAP on VAW and GBV to the federal government on April 30, 2021. This report contains 100 recommendations across four pillars: enabling environment and social infrastructure, prevention, promotion of responsive legal and justice systems, and support for survivors and their families. Overall, the report provides a ready roadmap for the NAP on VAW and GBV. Check out the NAP website to read the executive summary and learn more!
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Presentation to the House of Commons Finance Committee on COVID-19 Shelter Funding
On April 22, 2021, Lise Martin, WSC’s Executive Director, spoke to the House of Commons Finance Committee about the COVID-19 Emergency Federal Funding for VAW Shelter/Transition houses. This funding was provided by the federal government and distributed to shelters by WSC in 2020. Lise emphasized the importance of this funding for shelters as they adapted their operations to the realities of COVID-19, while also pointing out some of the limitations and challenges. She advocated for stable and adequate funding for the sector moving forward. You can watch her five-minute presentation here.
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Up for Debate is back!
With a federal election likely coming in the fall, WSC has once again joined together with an alliance of women’s rights and gender justice advocates to make sure our issues are on the agenda. Up for Debate 2021 is calling on all federal political parties to:
1. Outline action plans in support of women’s rights, gender justice, and an intersectional feminist economic recovery in their election platforms and commitments; and
2. Focus on women’s rights and gender justice in all federal leaders’ debates.
In the lead-up to the election, Up for Debate is hosting several panel discussions. You can view these events on their website. You can also endorse their calls to action!
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Take Action!
We have identified three important first steps that the government must take to ensure the success of the National Action Plan. We’re calling on the government to:
1. Create an Independent Oversight Body of Experts and have terms of reference in place by Fall 2021 to ensure proper governance and accountability;
2. Harmonize the NAP from the start with the separate, ongoing efforts to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people;
3. Ensure a stable, resourced VAW/GBV sector that has the capacity to contribute to the NAP process.
We’ve set up a quick and easy way for you to email or tweet your Member of Parliament about these three calls. Please take action today!
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Government consultation on senior abuse
The Government of Canada has launched an online consultation on a federal policy definition of senior abuse. This consultation gives you an opportunity to share your views on how senior abuse will be defined at the federal level in Canada. You can participate by completing the government’s online survey by July 22, or by printing out the survey and submitting it by mail.
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How do you learn to do GBV work?
The Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children and researchers at the University of Calgary have launched a national survey on workplace training within the GBV sector. The survey is part of a larger study that aims to highlight the expertise of Canadian GBV specialists. If you are 18 years of age or older and currently work with survivors, children exposed to domestic violence, and/or perpetrators of abuse, you can participate by filling out this survey!
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Enabling Accessibility Fund: Open for Applications!
Employment and Social Development Canada has launched a call for applications for the Enabling Accessibility Fund. This program will fund projects that make communities and workplaces more accessible for persons with disabilities. Applications must be submitted by July 29th at 5pm ET. More information is available here.
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Vote Housing!
In advance of a possible federal election, the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness has launched the Vote Housing campaign to create a coalition of people who are committed to supporting parties and candidates who meaningfully address housing issues. You can find out more about their platform and sign up to receive updates on the campaign here.
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National Action Plan Media Briefing
The team behind the National Action Plan report held a briefing for the media on June 22, 2021. If you want to learn a little bit more about the report, how it was created, and what comes next, you can watch the recording of the briefing on our YouTube channel.
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New blog: Identifying funding gaps
WSC and the National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence (NACAFV) are collaborating on a new research project exploring the funding that violence against women shelters receive and identifying gaps and disparities. Check out our blog to learn more about the project and what lead researchers Krys Maki and Anita Olsen Harper hope to achieve through their work.
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National Action Plan Infographics & Videos
We’ve put together a series of short videos and infographics to explain what went into the creation of the Report to guide the implementation of a NAP on VAW and GBV and some of the key themes and next steps. Check them out and share with your network!
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