Good Gender Equality Practices

EXAMPLE: GENDER EQUALITY LENS ON A POLICY

Women’s organizations and shelters that form Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW) were seeing that women will often remain in a violent relationship, because they lack the money needed to leave. Working with the community, Employment and Financial Assistance (EFA) developed a policy that persons experiencing partner abuse can access funds to make it possible for them to leave. Funds can be used for such things as securing door frames, changing locks, moving out of the area, paying arrears in shelter. Women’s shelters and organizations report this has been key in making it possible for women to leave their abuser. In turn, it has increased city awareness on the issues of partner assault and the difficulties women face in these situations.

What about this is a good Gender Equality Practice:

• Listened to a concern raised by women’s organizations
• Listened to a concern raised by women’s organizations
• Developed an innovative solution with the community
• Addresses inequalities: safety and financial resources
• Makes a difference in women’s lives
• Raises staff awareness

A good practice is one that takes gender equality concerns into account at every stage of the policy planning and service delivery process.

EXAMPLE: GENDER EQUALITY LENS ON PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

When facilitating the development of the next three- year Homelessness Action Plan, the Housing Branch commissioned separate reports on women’s and men’s homelessness, rather than assuming the situation was the same for both. In gathering input for the women’s plan, care was taken to ensure input from a wide range of key informants from service providers and clients. For example, client focus groups were held at nine locations including women’s drop-in centres, supportive housing, and sites where homeless women receive support specific to mental illness, AIDS/HIV, fleeing violence, or transition from prison. The specific needs of the following sectors of women at risk were explored, namely Aboriginal, youth, young mothers, older women, recent immigrants, homeless women, women fleeing violence, women with mental health issues and/or addictions, and low income. Some of the issues specifically considered were safety at service locations, safety planning, the appropriateness of women-only vs. mixed-gender services, access to income, access to services and appropriate housing, meeting basic needs while homeless, mental health supports and aging. To ensure that the consultants had heard and interpreted the messages correctly, they held a consultation meeting to verify the results, inviting service providers, planners and funders from all aspects of women’s homelessness services to participate consultation meeting to verify the results, inviting service providers, planners and funders from all aspects of women’s homelessness services to participate. After the report was complete, an ongoing implementation committee, representative of the full diversity of homeless and at-risk women, was formed and staffed.

What about this is a good Gender Equality Practice:

• Took into account differences and inequalities between women and men.
• Held focus groups where women gather.
• Took into account the diversity of women at risk of homelessness.
• Considered gender equality issues: safety, family responsibilities.
• Considered barriers women may experience.
• Took steps to verify findings with those who have expertise on the issue.
• Included women’s organizations and service providers in implementation.

A good practice is one that takes gender equality concerns into account at every stage of the policy planning and service delivery process.

EXAMPLE: GENDER EQUALITY LENS ON COMMUNICATION

The Women’s Health Program of Ottawa Public Health was hearing from women they found it difficult to make the time to seek out programs and information on women’s health. Many women, especially low-income and elderly, were not able to access information on the city web-site. Women wanted something printed with an overview of information all in one place. So the Women’s Passport to Health was created in consultation with women including Francophone and Anglophone women of diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds. Women provided input into both the content and design of the Passport through focus groups. The passport was very successful, but it was recognized that it was not accessible for women with limited English or French literacy skills. Women in the community suggested that they create a one-pager. A poster was then created with 12 key healthy tips and distributed around the city. Based on the success of the Women’s Passport to Health and the fact that most men tend to not access health care, a Men’s Passport to Health, Bodyworx, was developed. In practice, Bodyworx is frequently picked up by women who take it home to the men in their lives.

What about this is a good Gender Equality Practice:

• Recognized specific strategies needed to reach women.
• Involved women in equity groups to identify and decide what was needed.
• Checked back with women to see if it was helpful.
• Identified a format that was accessible; then adjusted as realized something else was needed to reach a specific population of women.
• Worked with women and community organizations to distribute.
• Recognized that men were also not informed; experimented with a specific strategy for reaching them.

EXAMPLE: GENDER EQUALITY LENS ON SERVICE DELIVERY

Woman Alive: Physical Activity Program for Low Income Women
The Woman Alive project began in 1999 to provide affordable physical activity programs for women on limited incomes in the City of Ottawa. Women participating in the program are educated and motivated to make healthy lifestyle choices that will enhance their own health and the health of their family. Barriers to participation in physical activity for women on limited incomes include: childcare, transportation, equipment needs and program costs. These barriers are reduced or removed in the Woman Alive program. The program has spread when women have initiated a project in their community.

What about this is a good Gender Equality Practice:

• Identified what was needed to help women on limited income access recreation.
• Staff demonstrate sensitivity to the specific groups of women.
• Recognized barriers and provided supports to address them.
• Encouraged women to take leadership and listened to their interests.

EXAMPLE: COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING

The 2005 funding criteria prioritized equity seeking groups including women.

•Provides services to low income families, aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and women. An additional criteria focused on addressing systemic barriers.

•Promote conditions of equality on the basis of race, ethnicity, income, gender and ability. An allocation committee comprised of community representatives of Advisory Committees informs the selection process. They considered which groups were missing (ex. francophone) and invited new members to achieve diverse representation.

What about this is a good Gender Equality Practice:

• Women were included as a prioritized group, along with other equity seeking groups.
• Prioritized groups that address inequalities.
• Used a decision making process that drew upon the expertise of diverse women and men representative of the target population.