Ryerson University

Purpose

This 28-month project will support a feminist response and recovery from the current impacts of COVID-19, through systemic change. Ryerson University will achieve this by 1) analyzing City of Toronto’s disaggregated data, 2) identifying data gaps that will support the development of programs and policies aimed at addressing racialized women’s poverty in Toronto, and 3) by building women's capacity for economic empowerment and advocacy in two geographic neighborhoods. The project aims to influence and inform public policy responses in the City of Toronto’s pandemic recovery planning by building City of Toronto municipal government staff capacity in the use of GBA+ to advance more inclusive policies, programs and building social infrastructure that will support gender equality; and by assessing the feasibility of using this project as a pilot to develop a methodological framework for the City of Toronto’s Gender Equity Strategy. At the end of the project, the organization will have contributed to addressing systemic barriers by advancing inclusive policies and practices; encouraging more equitable and effective sharing of resources; increasing networks and collaboration to accelerate systemic change; and supporting positive distribution of authority, voices, and decision-making power to support women’s equality. This project will work with partners, including the City of Toronto’s Economic Development and Culture Division, Social Development, Finance and Administration Division, the Gender Equity Unit, academia, women community leaders, activists and community organizations in the field to foster collaboration, lead dissemination and increase uptake of system policy and program recommendations to address racialized women’s poverty in Toronto.