Press Releases & Statements

Women’s Shelters Canada welcomes yesterday’s announcement by The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, of planned measures to prevent economic abuse. We agree that Canada’s financial institutions have a critical role to play in the early detection of abuse and the provision of safe pathways for survivors.  This is why we’re calling […]

Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health™, the charitable arm of Shoppers Drug Mart®, with a two-year, $300,000 grant supporting national initiatives to strengthen Canada’s shelter system and advance health equity for women experiencing gender-based violence. This renewed commitment builds on a longstanding […]

September 8, 2025 Cold Lake, Alberta – Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of Stepping Stones Crisis Society’s (SSCS) new building, a critical new space that will bring together all SSCS’s existing programs under one roof, including emergency shelters, second-stage housing and support services. This new integrated facility is a […]

Ottawa, July 24, 2025 – Like many across the country, we watched as five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey Team stood trial for sexual assault. Today’s verdict was deeply troubling, though tragically not surprising.   It reflects the entrenched patterns of disbelief, dismissal and denial as well as the deeply rooted barriers that […]

On May 13, Prime Minister Carney unveiled his new cabinet, followed by a single mandate letter outlining seven key priorities for the government. Last week’s Speech from the Throne added important context, including mention of a commitment to remove gun licences for individuals who commit IPV. This is an important and necessary step – but […]

Ottawa, April 29, 2025 – Following the federal election, Women’s Shelters Canada is calling on Prime Minister Carney and his government to prioritize gender justice and make lasting commitments to end gender-based violence. “We are at a critical moment in the fight for women’s rights,” said Anuradha Dugal, Executive Director, at Women’s Shelters Canada. “The […]

As Canada gears up to host this year’s Group of 7 (G7) Summit in June, the Women 7 (W7) demands unwavering commitment to human rights and bold leadership on gender equality as the world is at a critical juncture to tackle multiple crises.This is not a time to retreat, but to double down on advancing […]

Canadian Government Eliminates Minister for Women and Gender Equality Amid United Nations Women’s Rights Summit New York UNHQ –   It is unacceptable that the new Canadian Prime Minister has eliminated the position of Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth (WAGE) in his newly announced cabinet. This regressive step undermines decades of progress toward […]

On Friday, February 7, Anuradha Dugal, executive director of Women’s Shelters Canada, received the King Charles III Coronation Medal at a special ceremony at the Waterfront Campus of George Brown College. Awarded to outstanding Canadians who have made a significant contribution to Canada, Anuradha was nominated by Senator Paulette Senior for her work to end […]

Ottawa, 27 November 2024 – Today, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will officially open the first Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC)-supported second stage transitional housing (SSTH) new build. Located in Sussex, New Brunswick, “Doors of Hope” is Sussex Vale Transition House’s new five-unit facility designed to provide safe, secure, and supportive transitional housing for women and children fleeing […]