Archives for March 2021

Join us for our second-ever virtual event and silent auction. Registration and auction now open: https://givergy.ca/boundless

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The pandemic has increased the rates of violence and harassment experienced by Asian communities globally. In Canada, the largest increase in individuals who have been victims of hate crimes have been of Chinese, Korean, and Southeast Asian descent. A report from Vancouver police found a 717 per cent increase in attacks on Asian communities from 2019 to 2020.  Women’s Habitat is outraged and heartbroken by the horrific murder of eight people in Atlanta, Georgia last week including six Asian women. Our hearts ache for their friends and families.

This massacre is another example of how the historical objectification, fetishization and dehumanization of Asian women so often leads to violence. It is a reminder of the persistent attacks of racism and misogyny that all Asian women experience, and the pervasiveness of this racism. While these attacks took place in the United States, this is not an American problem. Canada has a long history of anti-Asian racism, most notably ‘the Chinese head tax’ or the Chinese Immigration Act of 1885, which aimed to discourage Chinese people from entering Canada after they built the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Women’s Habitat stands united with the Asian community. We denounce racism and misogyny in all its forms and we refuse to accept the excuses made for racist perpetrators while their victims’ families grieve. We will continue to show up and speak up against all forms of hatred today and every day. 

Preventing violence against women and girls by promoting healthy masculinity; learning and sharing through creative expression.

TORONTO, March 9, 2021 – Today, Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke announces its first-ever male facilitated virtual program ‘ReelReal Men’.

This program engages male-identified youth ages 14-18 in a conversation about gender and social norms that contribute to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and focuses on building healthy masculinity and relationships. The project aims to promote a safe space for youth to build a brotherhood, share their perspectives on manhood, build confidence and support the development of critical analysis. The project is set to start in April 2021 for 10 weeks to male-identified youth across the GTA.
Women’s Habitat believes that patriarchy is the root of GBV and recognizes violence against women and girls to be the most prevalent form of GBV. Half of all women in Canada have experienced a form of sexual or physical violence.

“We believe this conversation must take place within a problem-solving context, which must be an all-encompassing gender inclusive process. Gender based violence can only be addressed when we all work together, in solidarity.” shared Carla Neto, Community Programs Manager and creator of the project.

The RealReel Men program is set to be delivered virtually by co-facilitators Khalil Dorival and Kyle Rushton. Dorival is a Mental Wellness Coach, Author, Spiritual Leader, and has been awarded an “Invisible Hero” by Toronto Police Services & Child Care Services. “Being part of this program is the start of changing the narrative of what means to be a … Real Man!” says Dorival. Rushton is a Mindset and Personal Development Life Coach and says “being part of this program is important to me because I have personally experienced the negative effects of unhealthy masculinity. My hope is to support these young men in their development in an effort to cultivate a remarkable future for all of us.”

The project has been generously funded by the Modern Mystery School and The Hustler Young Men’s Bible Class Foundation. Both program sponsors have a long history of supporting Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke.

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About Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke
Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke is a community-based feminist organization providing lifesaving support to women and their children who are survivors of violence. Founded in 1978, our emergency shelter provides counselling and safe refuge and our outreach centre, established in 2006, offers a suite of services including group and individual counselling, parenting support and housing assistance.

For more information please contact Sojie Tate, Communications and Human Resource Manager state@womens-habitat.ca 416-576-4447 or visit www.womens-habitat.ca