The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (Nov 25- Dec 10) is an international campaign that runs between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and Human Rights Day. Here in Canada, it also encompasses National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Dec 6).
Gender-based violence increased during the pandemic--last year, 178 women and girls were killed in Canada, up from 118 killed in 2019. It is up to all of us to make sure that our post-pandemic plans include reducing this violence and making it easier for women to leave abusive relationships.
ASTEH (Alternative Short Term Emergency Housing) is a community-based housing facility available to Jewish women and their children who have experienced and are fleeing/leaving an abusive relationship. It provides women and their children a secure and supportive environment in which life decisions can be safely explored for up to 6 months.
ASTEH is operated in partnership by Jewish Women International-BC (JWI-BC) and JFS. During their stay, JFS case managers work with these women and provide advocacy, counselling, and other crisis interventions. ASTEH and the supports provided by JFS give these women a chance to move forward and be empowered to make decisions to better their lives.
To learn more about how JFS helps gender-based violence survivors, read Amy’s story, which we first shared with you in 2019.
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