Canadian Network of Womens Shelters and Transition Houses
November 25th / Ottawa To mark this years 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, the Canadian Network of Womens Shelters and Transition Houses is launching its first national shelter data count project. Shelters from coast to coast to coast will participate in this initiative which will give a snapshot of life in a shelter on a typical day this month. It will raise public awareness on the issue and the crucial role of shelters and shelter workers in the struggle to eliminate violence against women and provide an informative tool to engage policy-makers and elected officials at all levels of government.
Women escaping violence turn to shelters on a daily basis. We are the ones who open the door, allowing women survivors and their children to find solace while they regain their strength. Women survivors of violence have much resolve and the services provided to them via shelters are a crucial stepping stone in their journey to a safer and better world.
Shelter workers across the country recognize that services alone will not put an end to violence against women. The Network, along with shelters, is committed to working towards long term systemic change. The Networks Executive Director, Lise Martin, notes that greater public engagement needs to happen in all sectors of society and at all levels of government. Gender equality must become a reality for gender based violence to end.
Information from the Canadian Data Count will feed into the Global Shelter Data Count which is being coordinated by a member association, the Alberta Council of Womens Shelters.
The Canadian Network of Womens Shelters & Transition Houses is a coalition of 12 provincial and territorial shelter networks representing over 350 shelters across Canada. It works as a unified voice to collaborate, educate, and innovate for systemic change that ends violence against women, making Canada a model for safety in the world.
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Lise Martin
Executive Director
(613) 680-5119
lmartin@endvaw.ca
CNWSTH online:
@endvawnetwork
https://www.facebook.com/endvawnetwork
https://endvaw.ca/news-events
