The YWCA Niagara Region and our partners advocate for a more equitable society for all. We work with governments on all levels to address the needs of women and families in Niagara and initiate meaningful change with an intersectional feminist lens.
The following is research presented by the Niagara Community Observatory in conjunction with Brock University and the YWCA Niagara Region. There is no doubt that COVID-19 has affected women experiencing homelessness while facing barriers such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. This policy brief that was conducted by Joanne Heritz, Kathy Moscou, and Charles Conteh gives insightful information regarding the many challenges women face when searching for sustainable living and possible recommendations to help overcome these barriers.
YWCA Ontario is a provincial coalition of YWCA Member Associations that serves more than 50,000 people each year across Ontario. We offer a range of housing, employment, child care and violence against women programs and services designed to address the needs of women, girls and gender diverse people and their families. We also work to advance substantive gender and racial equity in our province.
The following is a joint statement issued by the coalition of YWCAs in Ontario.
Just this week, the YWCA Ontario Coalition officially wrapped its #SheCoveryON campaign to draw attention to the urgent need for a plan to end the she-cession that has disproportionately impacted the lives of women province-wide.
Our hearts break for the 215 children whose remains have been discovered at Kamloops Indian Residential School in Kamloops, B.C. The uncovering of this tragedy reaffirms the truth that so many suspected, but could never prove. While the horrors of residential schools will forever be an abominable part of Canada’s history, Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals across Canada continue to experience the effects of years of racial abuse. Many victims of residential schools continue to live with this trauma to this day.
The Province has acknowledged that Ontario is in a “she-cession.” However, the budget released this week does not offer us a “she-covery.”
While women are mentioned in the budget document 27 times, few new or significant investments to support the economic empowerment and well-being of women were included. The budget contains considerable tax credits and infrastructure funding; however, it falls desperately short of a concerted effort to set the province on course to a full recovery.
We recognize that systemic racism exists in Canada, with Black communities experiencing a disproportionate level of poverty, incarceration, and violence. We stand in solidarity with Black women and families in Canada, US, and countries around the world protesting racism, injustice, and inequality.
The YWCA values the overall well-being of those in our community and believes that everyone should have access to basic human needs. Having a roof over your head should never be an issue. The YW works alongside many local businesses, volunteers, and donors to ensure that the women and children of the Niagara Region have access to food, water, and a place to either temporarily or permanently call home. We offer a range of housing programs, skills development programs, community support programs and anything else we can do to support women and children to be as comfortable as possible during their time of crisis.
