According to a new survey conducted by YWCA Canada, Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW), Canadian Women’s Foundation, G(irls)20 and Oxfam Canada, women’s rights organizations in Canada are facing increasingly insurmountable challenges that threaten their very existence.
The survey revealed that 51% of organizations had to cut back on vital services and 48% had to cancel some of their programming all together. Part of the challenge has been delivering programs and services remotely during a pandemic — 1 in 5 organizations reported that the lack of internet access and digital devices for clients was one of the biggest barriers to supporting vulnerable communities.
Other findings include:
- Unexpected costs and expenses that are challenging to cover due to project funding limitations
- Inability to access emergency COVID-19 funds
- Reduction and cancellation of vital community programs and services like counselling
- Lack of digital capacity and adaptability to manage remote service delivery
Funding was one of the most significant issues facing organizations at this time. Relief funding was inaccessible with 2 in 5 organizations reporting they could not access it either due to not meeting funding criteria or not having the capacity to apply.
