Group Members: Sudeshna Chakraborty, Sunanda Chelatt, Sayeda Sultana, Iram Hamid

Advocacy Statement

As early childhood educators we understand that domestic violence against women is a cause of concern in our society which shatters the peace not only of the victim, but also children who often are witnesses of abuse, this leaves them emotionally disturbed, hence, it is necessary to have stringent laws that punish the perpetrator for the abusive treatment of the women in the household and bring about changes in the society where the living conditions of women within their households improve.

Research Based on AdvocacyThe United Nations defines violence against women as: “Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”(www.canadianwomen.org) Domestic violence against women can include physical, sexual, emotional, financial, spiritual and also criminal harassment or stalking. The main cause of domestic violence against women is based on the belief that the male member is more superior, important and correct than the female partner; this poses feelings of inequality which leads to humiliation, harassment and abuse in various forms.

*Gender inequality is the core factor of violence against women. It is visible in various areas in the society and this in turn affects the relationship within households.* Domestic violence against women happens in all cultural, religious and racial communities* Women often stay with the partner for the sake of the children or the sake of the family bond.* Financial instability forces women to stay with the partner.

Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence

Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence

* Women’s role in the society also plays a role in women’s abusive treatment within households* Aborginal women (First Nations, Inuit and Metis) are more than eight times more likely to face abusive treatment* 66% of women under the age of twenty- four are more likely to be sexually assaulted * 60 % of women with disabilities experience some form of violence.

Impact of Domestic violence on Children

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryLBCu097ns

Children are most vulnerable to domestic violence done on their mothers.

Role of YWCA in supporting women

“YWCA Toronto is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls. We help women and girls flee violence, secure housing, find jobs, establish their voices, enhance skills and develop confidence. We offer a range of housing options, employment and training programs, community support programs, girls' programs and family programs; we also engage in systemic advocacy.As part of a national and international movement, the YWCA is a turning point in the lives of 25 million women and girls world wide.We welcome women of all faiths, sexual orientations, races, cultural affiliations and creeds.YWCA Toronto is funded by the United Way of Greater Toronto, the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario the Government of Canada, as well as many corporate sponsors, foundations and individual donors.”https://www.ywcatoronto.org/

“YWCA Toronto offers girls and young women a safe and fun space to develop leadership skills and try new things.YWCA Toronto helps women find jobs. We help women improve their skills and unlock their potential.YWCA Toronto provides emergency shelter and permanent housing to women and their children.YWCA offers support groups for women who have experienced violence and are coping with mental health challenges.” https://www.ywcatoronto.org/

Role of YWCA in supporting women

Our interview with the Social worker of YWCA

We learnt about the role of YWCA in supporting women and children who are victims of Domestic Violence.

Raising Awareness

We asked the students and instructor to write down a slogan or phrase related to their views on the topic.

Action taken to support the cause: Volunteer work at YWCA, shelter on April 11,2013

Location: Dawes Road Spadina

Duties:

• sorting, labelling and arranging items required for the basic needs of mothers and children under the care of the shelter.

• interacting with the children and providing assistance in the after school activities.

Letter of Appreciation

Shelter & Housing A TURNING POINT FOR WOMEN

United Way 1st Stop Woodlawn M e m b e r A g e n c y Resid en ce

4 1 6 . 9 2 3 .8 4 5 4 Shelter 416.922.3271

Breakthrough 416.487.7151

Choices for Living 416.961.5446

To whom it may concern: Humewood Drive Housing

This letter is provided in recognition of Sunanda Chelatt's volunteer work with our ageney^gwApril 11, 2013 she volunteered for four hours at our shelter. We appreciate the time she set aside to support us

Pape Avenue Apartments and all of her hard work. If you require any more information, please do not hesitate to j

YWCA Arise 416.929.6944

Thanks, YWCA Elm Centre 416.260.2000

Erica Fisico YWCA Women's Shelter

Community Development Worker-Children and Youth | Women's YWCA Toronto | A Turning Point for Women 87 Elm St Toronto ON M5G OA8 T 416 .69 3 .6 9 78 ex t 22 9) F 416 .693 ,84 7 1

EFisico@vwcatoronto.org www.vwcatoronto.org

Shelter & Housing Employment & Training Community Support Girls' Programs Family Programs | Advocacy

87 Elm St, Toronto, Ontario MsG OA8 T 416.961.8100 F 416.961.7739 info@ywcatoronto.org www.ywcatoronto.org

charitable business number: 1O822 9865 RROOO1

FOLLO W US U© T O R O N T O

Thank you letter to YWCADear Ms. Pari,

This is to express our sincere thanks to you for providing us with a lot of resourceful information on the functioning of YWCA in supporting the women and children of Toronto; this information has helped us a lot in our advocacy research project. We also thank you for arranging volunteering opportunities for the four of us in the Women's Shelter, it has really supported our project criteria. We hope to further serve the cause in a fruitful way.

Thanking youSincerely,Iram, Sayeda, Sudeshna, Sunanda

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paG0MvX8g1s

Questions and Suggestions

1. Is it because of multicultarism that domestic violence is at a high rate in Toronto?

1. How does domestic violence effect you as an individual?

3. Have you ever advocate or witnessed for this cause?

Bibliography:

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