A new project will use the lived experiences of local women who have survived violence to create a basic income guarantee (BIG) program.
In a news release, Huronia Transition Homes (HTH) said it is “pleased to announce it is about to embark on an inspiring project aimed at creating systemic change for women who have survived violence.”
“Over the next 33 months, HTH will receive $350,000 from Women and Gender Equality Canada to build a network in north Simcoe that will unite community stakeholders in championing a guaranteed basic income. The project will place women who have accessed their programs in north Simcoe at its heart, using their lived experiences to inform a BIG program.”
HTH will create a framework for the program, which will include a draft budget, staffing structure, best practices, a risk-mitigation strategy, and an evaluation plan. The network will see HTH working with municipalities, academic institutions, social services, women with lived experience, regional committees, and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, all of which will use the framework “to work collectively to raise awareness and educate the community on basic income, and gender-based poverty.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity to work together with community members and stakeholders to support a local movement for a BIG program,” said Haily MacDonald, acting executive director of HTH. “There is a lot of research that speaks to the strengths and efficacy of BIG programs. However, there are gaps in terms of the best models to implement and deliver such programs, and this is especially true in the context of violence against women. The vast rates of poverty for women who have survived violence is evidence that current state social provisioning is insufficient to meet their needs.”
Marci Ien, federal minister for women and gender equality and youth, said the government is “glad to support this important project, which will ultimately allow women and girls opportunities to fully take part in the economic, social, democratic, and political life of Canada.”
“Women and Gender Equality Canada is committed to advancing women’s economic security and prosperity. With this locally driven guaranteed basic income project, HTH will work to address systemic barriers to economic security faced by women victims and survivors of gender-based violence. By providing financial stability, this initiative will empower women in the north Simcoe community, allowing them to break free from the cycle of poverty and violence.”
