October 23, 2023 – The Ending Violence Association of Canada (EVA Canada) was happy to host partners from across the country at our GBV Worker Wellness Project Forum on Sept 26th and 27th 2023. This two-day, in-person forum provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships and build our collective capacity for advocacy within the GBV sector on issues related to improving systems and supports for the GBV workforce.
Over the last 5 years, much work has been completed that recommends greater supports and resources for the GBV workforce. The “Mapping Our Collective Knowledge” diagram captures the various projects, reports, research studies and documents that have been released in Canada since 2018 related to issues of worker health, safety and wellness in the gender-based violence (GBV) sector, the care economy and within the larger non-profit sphere.
Drawing on a synthesis of the over 100 recommendations included in these reports, forum participants explored key areas for action, including:
- Increasing awareness and understanding of the gender-based violence workforce in Canada
- Exploring wage parity with the public sector
- Ensuring adequate and stable core funding for organizations
- Developing of a comprehensive GBV workforce strategy
- Addressing occupational health and safety concerns
Through collaboration and critical discussion, EVA Canada and its partners focused on moving beyond making recommendations toward implementing the many steps that can and must be taken by government, organizations, and advocates to address the multiple and urgent challenges facing the GBV workforce. In the coming months, EVA Canada will continue to work with our national, provincial, and territorial partners to advance collective advocacy efforts that will support GBV workers.
EVA Canada thanks participants from the following organizations for their contributions to this important work: Ending Violence Association of BC; Sexual Violence New Brunswick; Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services; Ontario Nonprofit Network; Victimology Research Centre – Algonquin College; St. Paul’s University; Women’s Shelters Canada; YWCA Canada; Canadian Women’s Foundation; Klinic Community Health.
EVA Canada acknowledges the financial support of Women and Gender Equality Canada for this initiative.