A new national labour force strategy for the gender-based violence (GBV) sector - the first of its kind in Canada - is being developed by Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada (ESVA Canada) with the support from two Saint Paul University researchers.
Dr. Krys Maki, Assistant Professor in the Elisabeth-Bruyère School of Social Innovation is the academic partner on the project and Kawther Ramadan, a PhD candidate in Social Innovation, has been assisting ESVA Canada with research for the strategy.
"My role in the research focuses on analyzing job postings and labour conditions across the gender-based violence sector in Canada. By coding and synthesizing this data, I'm helping to identify national trends, workforce gaps, and structural challenges that shape the conditions in which GBV workers operate," shares Ramadan. "This project offers an important opportunity to rethink how we value and support the GBV workforce. By grounding the strategy in rigorous research and sector insights, we aim to help create the conditions necessary for long-term, transformative change."
In support of this research, Dr. Maki also co-facilitated an engagement session at the Mauril-Bélanger Social Innovation Workshop with labour unions and GBV sector workers, advocates and experts in the Ottawa area. The engagement session part of a nation-wide series served to collect grassroots feedback and experience, adding depth and nuance to the research on the workforce responsible for supporting those affected by GBV.
The Need for a National Strategy
The labour force on the frontline of the GBV epidemic face many challenges in their life-saving work. Precarious funding models, high demand and low wages all contribute to increased burnout and higher turnover rates for those working in this difficult field.
With this national strategy, ESVA Canada seeks to raise awareness about these challenges and to support a path toward a stronger workforce and, as a result, better support for survivors of GBV.
"While the workforce is highly knowledgeable and trained, their work remains overlooked, undervalued and underpaid. Inadequate funding models put immense pressure on GBV organizations to do more with less. To truly support GBV survivors, the sector needs sustainable, operational funding to ensure that workers are well compensated alongside decent work and collective care practices," explained Dr. Maki. "Taking care of GBV workers creates better care for survivors."
The final document, which launches in 2026, will serve as a broad toolkit for the sector including strategies for addressing common challenges, relevant research and an advocacy plan.
For more information regarding the National Labour Force Strategy and ESVA Canada's efforts, please click here.
