Equality Insights Lab Ltd (EIL)

Published purpose

Through this 43-month project, Equality Insights Lab will conduct research, in collaboration with Ottawa Muslim Community Services and Queen’s University, to improve gender-based violence (GBV) services for at-risk groups in Ottawa’s Muslim Community with a focus on immigrant, newcomer and refugee women. This mixed methods research will assess GBV risks, protective factors, and access to and utilization of GBV services and their intersection with Islamophobic attitudes and behaviors. To do so, the project will: develop a research protocol and identify community stakeholders; hold a series of workshops and discussions with the Muslim community to refine the research methods, and collect disaggregated data on GBV, including intimate partner violence and patterns of support-seeking. The data will be validated through open dialogue sessions with the community and a series of recommendations will be co-created to increase accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and utilization of services and to improve coordination and cross-sectoral collaboration with community stakeholders. Recommendations will also inform GBV prevention and bystander interventions. Dissemination activities will be conducted with the community and key stakeholders to share findings and recommendations. Results will also be published in a scientific journal. With the Supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, Equality Insights Lab will conduct secondary data analysis, develop knowledge products and tools, and conduct community-centred stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange. Through this they will further advance Gender Equality.