O- Opportunities that Empower and Support Girls and Women

Strengths

Participants noted successful programs and services that provide empowerment and leadership for girls and women, including: ‘Girls that Rock – Lupercalia music weekend’, HER Wellness in Owen Sound, Girl Guides, Kincardine Karate Dojo, the Fall Fair Ambassador program, Rock the Sound Youth Choir with Tara Meckenzie, Sheatre, Keystone girls groups, HER Grey Bruce, Women in Business, YMCA, Music programs, theatre programs, Women’s Shelters, Cadets, ETFO Girls Leadership Day, Run Jane Run.
Respondents noted there are programs that provide economic, education and/or employment supports that improve the economic situation of women. The top noted agencies are: United Way Bruce Grey, Ontario Works, Women’s Shelters.

‘We need better access to low income housing, mental health supports – often there is crisis response but ongoing support or evidence based treatments like CBT are not available for women or children when they are not in crisis.’ ‘Many (programs) are faith based which in itself isolates people not willing to participate in faith based activities.’(survey participant)

Weaknesses

64% of respondents rate the availability of empowerment and leadership opportunities for girls and women in Grey Bruce as poor (34%) or fair (30%).
Many respondents do not know of any programs or services that provide empowerment and leadership opportunities for women and girls
68% of respondents rated Grey Bruce in the poor (35%) or fair (33%) range when it comes to addressing women’s poverty. Poverty has an impact on safety, health, access to resources, and opportunities for women and girls.
Access to community programs and strategies that decrease gender in equality and power imbalances was rate at the poor and fair levels by over half of respondents in the following areas (in order of highest to lowest) access to affordable housing (74%), Access to employment with pay comparable to men’s pay (62%), access to affordable day care (62%), Access to programs to address racism, discrimination and accessibility issues (60%).
Some respondents are not aware that there are services and supports for men who are victims/survivors of sexual violence in Grey Bruce.
Over half (55%) of the respondents who answered this question had experience a form of sexual violence or harassment by someone in a position of power, authority or trust. This included SV by police, doctors, priest, teachers, babysitters, and a gynecologist.

Discussion

Studies show that there is a connection between empowering and supporting women and girls through income support, education, employment, opportunities for leadership and civic engagement and reducing women and girls’ risk of SV. Poverty and low-income status are directly linked to sexual violence and sexual trafficking, and increase their vulnerability to abuse. Rates of SV are lower in countries where women have higher educational and occupational status.

Most survey participants were not aware of local leadership and empowerment programs for women and girls. There are some programs in place, but they are not widely known, or access is difficult. Participants see a connection between poverty, lack of affordable housing, and lack of leadership programs for women and girls and their vulnerability to SV. Over half of the survey participants who answered this question had experienced sexual violence at the hands of a person in a position of power or authority, including a broad range of professionals, which highlights the need for their access to knowledge, protective and empowerment strategies, and demonstrates their vulnerability to SV. The survey response indicates a need to improve opportunities for empowerment in Grey Bruce, and the need to include SV protective strategies for vulnerable women and girls in current programs in the area.

‘I can’t think of one person (male or female) that has not experienced a ‘form’ of sexual violence or harassment.’(survey participant)

Workplaces can be important sources of support for people experiencing sexual violence in their lives. Make It Our Business has resources to help employers support workers experiencing domestic or sexual violent.
makeitourbusiness.ca/about/workplace-sexual-harassment

Almost half of participants familiar with local services rated them highly. Visit our website and 211ontario.ca to learn more about local services. Tell your friends and neighbours too.

#MeToo made it clear how many people have experienced sexual violence and has challenged individuals and agencies to do better. That’s the power of awareness and we need to keep raising it. Share this post to help.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/03/07/on-first-international-womens-day-since-metoo-went-viral-survey-asks-has-anything-really-changed.html