LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

Dear YWCA Community,

While the year draws to an end our advocacy and commitment to building a city, province, country and world free of gender-based violence continues.

Monday was Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honour the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of transphobic violence. We know that trans women face higher rates of violence and femicide than cis women, and we continue to address transphobia by working towards a future where all trans people are safe and supported in being their most authentic selves.

Notably last week, we hosted dignitaries from the federal and provincial governments to announce the federal government’s investment of $162 million over four years to support the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence in Ontario. While we eagerly wait to hear more about the rollout of the plan, we are thankful to see this important step taken to address gender-based violence. Together with our YWCA Ontario coalition we responded to this announcement, along with another major provincial announcement on a child care workforce strategy. Read our full response here.



This Saturday will mark the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (GBV), commencing on November 25^th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

With increased reports of gender-based and intimate partner violence —including alarmingly high rates of femicide in our province this year, we know that there is a great deal of work to be done to address and eradicate GBV, in all its forms.

While we recognize the crises before us, we also recognize the passion and determination of our communities to see a world free of violence – this is what gives me hope.

With care,

Sami Pritchard

Interim Director of Advocacy and Communications

YWCA Toronto

Feminist Leaders Have the Solutions: Reflection on YWCA Canada’s 2023 Day on the Hill

In our most recent blog post, Leah Wilson, Manager of Advocacy, shares her reflections on attending YWCA Canada’s 2023 Day on the Hill in early October. YWCA staff, CEOs, and board members from across the country all came together in Ottawa to speak with Members of Parliament, Senators, and government staff, about the need for a gendered response to the housing crisis.

Read the blog here.

Child Care Workers and Early Child Care Educators (ECE) are Worth More!

November 30^th is the Canada-Wide Day of Action for Child Care! While the Ontario workforce strategy announced last week is a step in the right direction, we echo the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC): a livable-wage grid and the inclusion of non-registered early childhood educators in the strategy is critical.

On the 30^th, join advocates across the country in support of the early learning and child care workforce. Together we will call for immediate action to address the ongoing early years and child care workforce crisis. Join the demonstration at Queen's Park or virtually with the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario.