B.C. Federation of Labour

Purpose

This 28-month project will develop, implement, and test the expansion of the “Be More Than a Bystander Program” as well as new strategies to effectively address the root causes of gender-based violence in the trades industry. The BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT) will achieve this through the creation of a support hub, resources, and referral services to support women, women of colour, and 2SLGBTQIA people in the trades facing discrimination, gender-based or racial violence; developing and implementing advocacy supports; expanding the ‘Be More Than a Bystander’ program across industry organizations; and developing a policy-change agenda that addresses barriers to gender-equality in the trades. At the end of the project, the BCCWITT will have developed a promising practice that engaged underrepresented tradeswomen with lived experience as leaders, decision-makers and implementers of project activities; designed and implemented advocacy practices for women facing discrimination and gender-based violence in the industry; addressed discriminatory policies and developed best practices for industry organizations; engaged men to address harmful gender norms, gender and racial-based violence; and strengthened industry partnerships and networks for GBV prevention. The project will actively engage underrepresented tradeswomen and 2SLGBTQIA people in environmental scans and needs analysis to set priorities and design advocacy supports and services. Labour representatives, industry representatives, and women from the trades will be actively engaged in all elements of the project through the project governance committee and as partners in advancing gender-equality in the industry.