Canada’s Gender Equality Week is being celebrated in Canada for the fifth time this September. With the theme “United for Gender Equality: Stronger Together,” this year’s focus is on promoting inclusivity across Canada by promoting awareness of varied identities regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or education level. A remarkable aspect of this effort is the use of Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA) by all Canadian government agencies. It is important to examine policies and programs internally and publicly in order to discover inequities and to make necessary corrections. This week in Canada, Gender Equality Week celebrates the country’s dedication to inclusivity and equality.
The Canadian government emphasizes treating all genders, including women, men, trans people, and anyone who identifies as having a different gender, equally. The ultimate objective is to achieve equality in all domains and provide everyone the chance to reach their full potential. This dedication also extends to immigrants to Canada. Significant funding and resources are given to programs by IRCC that expressly assist women, people of color, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community who are new immigrants. These initiatives work to promote equality for all people, regardless of gender identity or background, through addressing specific issues and fostering inclusion. Canada’s support for immigrants with different gender backgrounds demonstrates its commitment to gender equality.
Support programs for women and gender-diverse newcomers
Over 400 settlement organizations for newcomer women work together with IRCC in Canada With the express purpose of assisting newcomer women, IRCC has formed agreements with more than 400 settlement organizations across Canada. These groups are essential in educating and empowering immigrant women, especially those who are subject to abuse, and in assisting them in achieving social and financial independence.
Investment in the Racialized Women Newcomers Pilot Program: The IRCC announced in January 2023 a significant contribution of $5.8 million to support 10 projects as part of the Racialized Women Newcomers Pilot Program. This initiative will help racialized newcomer women develop the skills needed to find jobs in Canada and successfully acclimate to living there.
Accessible and Affordable Childcare: By improving access to and affordability of childcare, the Canadian government is actively seeking to increase women’s involvement in the labor field. The plan is to have $10 per day childcare facilities available all over Canada by 2026.
Objectives of the Early Learning and Childcare Infrastructure Fund: With a focus on marginalized populations, the government formed the Early Learning and Childcare Infrastructure Fund to help with the construction of childcare facilities. These communities include a wide variety, including isolated and rural places, as well as urban neighborhoods with a range of incomes, high expenses, and low incomes. It also includes populations that have access challenges, particularly racialized and immigrant communities.
Collaboration with Settlement Organizations: In order to provide assistance to 2SLGBTQI+ refugee immigrants and their families, Canada has developed cooperative relationships with a number of settlement organizations, including the Rainbow Railroad. Once they’ve arrived in Canada, these partnerships want to help these people integrate and prosper there.
Canada’s gender equality week – Violence against newcomers based on gender
A key component of attaining equality in Canada is eliminating gender-based violence. Due to economic dependence, language hurdles, and a lack of awareness of accessible community options, immigrant women frequently experience increased vulnerability to domestic abuse. In addition, newcomers who have suffered trauma as a result of war or oppressive regimes could be reluctant to report incidents of physical or sexual assault to the police.
Women who are sponsored by abusive spouses or boyfriends are even more reluctant to leave because there is a general concern that doing so could result in deportation. This complicated circumstance emphasizes the necessity for extensive support networks and tools to successfully address gender-based violence in immigrant communities.
Formerly, sponsored wives or partners of Canadian citizens and permanent residents had to live with their sponsor in order to keep their status as permanent residents. It’s crucial to remember that this restriction has been lifted, and cohabitation with a sponsor is no longer necessary to obtain or maintain permanent residence status.
This means that any newcomer experiencing gender-based violence within their sponsorship agreement has the option to quit their relationship with their sponsor, regardless of their gender identity. In addition, they may be eligible for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), which gives victims of gender-based violence a possible route to safety and security by enabling them to temporarily reside in Canada without the need for a sponsor.
The following are the requirements for obtaining a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP):
- Family class applicants, or individuals married or having a common-law partner in Canada (SCLPC class), who have either left their sponsors after abuse or have not yet left their sponsors due to fear of losing their immigration status.
- An individual who has been unable to undergo permanent residence assessment due to the withdrawal of sponsorship of their family or SCLPC class by their sponsor (abusive spouse or common-law partner).
- The victim of an abusive partner who deceives them into believing they have submitted a permanent residence application in the family or SCLPC classes when, in fact, they have not.
- Even if they do not yet have a permanent residence application in process, temporary residents who intend to apply for permanent residency for abuse have the right to apply.
IRCC states that individuals with TRPs may have access to healthcare benefits, including coverage for trauma counseling. Additionally, they have the choice to submit a free work permit application.
