The Link Between Gender-Based Violence and Homelessness
March 8 is International Women’s Day, and this year’s theme, “Accelerating Actions for Gender Equality,” encourages us to address the inequalities that women face daily.
One of the issues is violence with approximately 30% of women worldwide experiencing physical and/or sexual intimate violence at least once in their lives (World Health Organization) [1]. This violence causes physical, emotional and financial harm.
One of the most heartbreaking outcomes of gender-based violence is the high percentage of women in shelters. Many women are forced to leave their homes due to abusive partners, often fleeing with their children and nothing else leading to financial instability and difficulty securing new housing. Studies show up to 25% of women experiencing homelessness in Canada cite domestic violence as the immediate cause of their homelessness [2].
Accelerating Actions for Gender Equality
Here are some of the amazing local organizations working to support and celebrate women while accelerating actions for gender equality including addressing root causes. We encourage you to learn more by following the links:
1. Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta:
This incredible organization provides essential support to individuals, especially women, who are in contact with the legal system. Shirley’s Place, operated by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta and supported by Homeward Trust Edmonton, offers temporary supportive housing for women experiencing homelessness and transitioning from shelters.
To support the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta, you can volunteer, join the annual membership for $5 for individuals and $10 for organizations, donate, or if you’re a lawyer, get involved with the Independent Legal Advice for Survivors of Sexual Violence (ILA) project, which is currently recruiting and training lawyers in Fort McMurray and Northern Alberta. Contact ILA at 780.784.2213 or legal_advice@efryedmonton.ab.ca for more information.
2. Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW):
IAAW is dedicated to supporting and advocating for Indigenous women, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed. In partnership with Homeward Trust Edmonton, IAAW leases a 20-suite apartment building for the Women’s Fire Lodge, which provides short-term housing solutions for Indigenous women leaving correctional facilities or experiencing homelessness. The Esquao Awards, hosted by IAAW, celebrate the achievements of Indigenous women in the community. “Esquao” is a Cree word for woman.
Becoming an Esquao member by paying a membership fee of $25 is a great way to support this organization. While the standard membership fee is $25, a subsidized rate of $10 is available for those with fixed or limited incomes. Additionally, if you’re unable to afford the membership fee but still want to participate in Esquao programs and events, the fee can be waived.
3. Radius Community Health & Healing:
The Pregnancy Pathway service offered by Radius Community Health & Healing supports pregnant women experiencing homelessness or facing serious housing situations. In collaboration with Homeward Trust Edmonton, the Pregnancy Pathways Home was created. This initiative, supported by various community partners, provides women with their own dedicated apartment, 24/7 staffing, on-site supports, pre-natal and post-natal care, a gathering space to build community and foster peer support, and assistance in developing life and parenting skills. Radius Community Health & Healing welcomes donations to support their essential services such as the Pregnancy Pathway. Additionally, you can visit the website to explore any available volunteer opportunities.
This addiction recovery centre supports women and children through various stages of recovery. Their mission is to empower and equip women to achieve sustainable recovery through hope, healing, and restoration by offering long-term, faith-based programming, counseling, and life skills support. Adeara hosts three major fundraising events each year: the Coldest Night of the Year, the Adeara Golf Tournament, and the Evening of Dreams Gala. You can support these events by volunteering, sponsoring, or donating.
5. Boyle Street Community Services:
Boyle Street and The Gather Co. have partnered to create sakihta kikinaw (Cree for “house of love”) at Stovel Block, a safe and supportive housing initiative for female-identifying1 people. Supported by Homeward Trust Edmonton, this flexible, low-cost housing provides a warm and welcoming space for women to stay as long as needed before moving into long-term housing, with on-site staff and programs available 24/7. In response to the pandemic’s escalation of housing insecurity, sakihta kikinaw aims to fill a critical gap in safe housing options for women.
You can support Boyle Street Community Services by donating.
This International Women’s Day let’s work hard to accelerate actions for gender equality by addressing gender-based violence and its impact on homelessness. By taking steps to support survivors, we can create a world where women are safe, and inequality is a thing of the past.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Sources
[1] World Health Organization. (2024). Violence against women. who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women
[2] Learning Network. (2017). Women, Intimate Partner Violence, and Homelessness (Issue 22). Centre for Reasearch and Education on Violence Against Women and Children, Western University. gbvlearningnetwork.ca/our-work/issuebased_newsletters/issue-22/index.html
Footnote
- We use “female-identifying” and “women” in relation to include all people who identify as female, including but not limited to cisgender and transgender women. ↩︎
