The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS)

Published purpose

This 27-month project will support a feminist response and recovery from the current impacts of COVID-19, through systemic change. The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies will achieve this by establishing an advisory committee and a community of practice comprised of Elizabeth Fry Societies from Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta to increase collaboration an information-sharing on issues of poverty, unemployment and housing affecting women and gender diverse people at-risk of or in conflict with the law. The organization will examine discriminatory practices within the judicial system and identify evidence-based advocacy practices to effectively engage people with lived experience in advocacy efforts focussing on the improvement of their economic security and prosperity. Co-creation activities, storytelling, and lessons learned from individuals with lived experience will support the development of policies and strategies tackling poverty, unemployment and housing. An advocacy information-sharing platform, toolkit, action plan and training will be developed and piloted to help Societies and decision-making tables strengthen their ability to advocate for changes to the justice system, address discriminatory laws and practices and support their respective populations. A social media campaign will be conducted to promote the project and resources available to organizations and a final evaluation report will be produced. At the end of the project, the organization will have contributed to addressing systemic barriers by increasing networks and collaboration to accelerate systemic change, supporting positive distribution of authority, voices, and decision-making power, and addressing persistent harmful gender norms and attitudes, to support women’s equality.