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Questions and Answers

Federal Strategy on Gender-based Violence
  • Why does Canada need a strategy to prevent and address gender-based violence?

    Gender-based violence (GBV) persists in Canada and is a preventable and significant barrier to gender equality.

    While violence affects people of all genders, ages, cultures, ethnicities, geographic locations, and socio-economic backgrounds, some populations are more at risk of experiencing violence, which could include women and girls, Indigenous people, LGBTQ2 and gender non-conforming people, those living in northern, rural, and remote communities, people with disabilities, newcomers, children and youth, and seniors.

    In order to prevent and address GBV, the Government of Canada recognizes the need for an approach that is comprehensive, inclusive, and based on solid evidence.

  • When is the Strategy expected to be released?

    The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, announced It’s Time: Canada Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence on Monday, June 19, 2017.

  • Will the strategy look only at violence against women and girls?

    Gender-based violence (GBV) is violence perpetrated against someone based on their gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender.

    As this violence is commonly affects women and girls, sometimes the term is used interchangeably with violence against women and girls. GBV also has a disproportionate impact on LGBTQ2 (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning, intersex and two-spirited) and gender non-conforming people.

  • What impact will the Strategy have on the lives of Canadians?

    The Strategy will create the groundwork for widespread cultural change in Canada that will reflect a more inclusive society supportive of gender equality and the elimination of GBV. It will also provide the potential for longer-term health, social and economic benefits by investing in learning about what works to prevent GBV.

    The Strategy speaks to a number of diverse populations living in Canada, and places the needs of diverse individuals, families and survivors at the centre. The Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre, within Status of Women Canada, will focus on building and sharing knowledge.

  • Why is the government engaging with experts, advocates and survivors on the Strategy?

    It is important to hear from experts and advocates, such as academia, civil society and front-line service providers, to ensure that the strategy is informed by the experiences, needs and challenges of those who are most directly affected by gender-based violence, including survivors, and those who work who with them.

    Engaging with experts and advocates will also ensure the strategy is based on evidence of what works best to address and prevent gender-based violence.

    Throughout the engagement process, the Government of Canada worked to ensure that the government approach reflects the diversity of experiences of survivors of GBV in Canada and those who support them.

  • Who led the engagement process and who was invited to participate?

    The former Minister of Status of Women, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, was mandated to develop and implement a strategy to address gender-based violence and led the engagement process. Throughout the summer and fall of 2016, the former Minister engaged with a broad cross-section of experts and advocates and some survivors to help inform the development of this strategy.

    As part of this process, Status of Women Canada hosted a series of roundtables across Canada and Canadians were also given the opportunity to comment through an online survey and via email to Status of Women Canada at FinALAViolence-EndViolence@swc-cfc.gc.ca.

    For details, see: Who is involved and why?

  • How were the participants for the roundtables selected?

    Status of Women Canada worked with other federal organizations, provincial and territorial governments, and others to recommend experts and advocates to take part in the engagement process.

    Participants were selected to reflect expertise in prevention, supporting survivors and justice and other system responses, as well as to speak to the particular barriers facing diverse groups such as Indigenous women and girls, young women and girls, LGBTQ2 and gender non-conforming persons, and women and girls with disabilities.

  • Were the organizations that were not invited to the meetings/roundtables able to provide input into the strategy?

    Canadians with diverse experiences and perspectives were invited to participate in the engagement process through various fora. In addition to the meetings and roundtable, Canadians were given the opportunity to comment through an online survey and via email to Status of Women Canada at FinALAViolence-EndViolence@swc-cfc.gc.ca.

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