Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support: Ensuring Safety for Refugee Women
Introduction/Overview
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Support refers to comprehensive programs aimed at preventing and responding to gender-based violence against refugee and displaced women. GBV includes any harmful act directed at an individual based on their gender, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse. In conflict and displacement settings, women are particularly vulnerable to GBV, which has profound impacts on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we provide tailored programs that prevent and address gender-based violence. Our services include legal aid, counseling, safe spaces, and awareness-raising programs designed to protect survivors and prevent future instances of violence. We work to ensure that refugee women have access to the support and resources they need to recover from trauma and rebuild their lives.
Our GBV prevention and support initiatives are aligned with key international frameworks:
United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979), which protects women from violence and discrimination.
Global Compact on Refugees (2018), emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive services that protect women from GBV and ensure their access to healthcare, education, and legal support.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5 & 16), focusing on gender equality, peaceful, inclusive societies, and ending violence against women and girls.
A Vision for Safety and Empowerment
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), our vision is to create a world where refugee women are free from the threat of gender-based violence and have access to the support they need to heal and thrive. We believe that every woman has the right to live in safety, with dignity, and without fear of violence. Our programs aim to empower women by providing the necessary legal, emotional, and social support to help them recover from violence and rebuild their lives.
Through a combination of prevention programs, survivor support, and community education, we work to change harmful norms and practices, ensuring that refugee women are safe, protected, and empowered to contribute to their communities.
How We Deliver This Vision: Comprehensive GBV Prevention and Support
RefPIC’s Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support programs are designed to provide holistic support for survivors of violence, while also implementing prevention programs to stop violence before it occurs. Our approach includes collaboration with legal services, healthcare providers, and community organizations to offer survivors the protection and care they need.
Key components of our GBV Prevention and Support programs include:
Legal Aid and Advocacy: Providing survivors with legal representation and assistance to ensure their rights are protected and that they have access to justice.
Counseling and Psychosocial Support: Offering emotional support, trauma-informed counseling, and safe spaces to help survivors recover and rebuild their lives.
Prevention and Awareness Programs: Implementing educational programs to raise awareness about GBV and teach communities about gender equality, aiming to prevent future violence.
Safe Spaces and Emergency Services: Establishing safe spaces where women can seek refuge and access emergency services if they are at immediate risk of violence.
Community Engagement: Working with host communities to challenge harmful gender norms, reduce stigma, and foster an environment of respect and protection for women.
Why Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Matter
Refugee and displaced women are at heightened risk of gender-based violence, especially during crises and displacement. Violence against women has devastating consequences, affecting their physical health, mental well-being, and ability to rebuild their lives.
Without access to legal, emotional, and community support, many survivors face ongoing trauma and are left vulnerable to further abuse.
At RefPIC, we are committed to providing survivors with the resources, care, and protection they need to heal and thrive. Our GBV prevention programs help create safer environments for refugee women while raising awareness within communities about the importance of gender equality and violence prevention. By supporting women and engaging communities, we aim to create lasting change that promotes safety, justice, and empowerment for all.
Looking Ahead: Expanding GBV Prevention and Support
As RefPIC expands its gender-based violence prevention and survivor support programs, we are committed to reaching more women in need and continuing to educate communities on preventing violence and discrimination. By providing legal aid, counseling services, and awareness programs, we aim to create an environment where refugee women are empowered to live without fear of violence.
Our Triple Nexus Approach—integrating humanitarian aid, development, and peacebuilding—ensures that our efforts to prevent gender-based violence contribute to long-term resilience, social inclusion, and gender equality.
What We Aim to Achieve
Our primary goals in preventing and responding to gender-based violence include:
Preventing Gender-Based Violence: Implement community-wide education and awareness programs to prevent violence before it occurs.
Supporting Survivors: Provide legal aid, counseling, and safe spaces to help survivors recover from violence and access justice.
Raising Awareness: Engage with communities to challenge harmful gender norms and raise awareness about gender equality and violence prevention.
Providing Safe Spaces: Establish safe spaces for women at risk of violence, offering them refuge and emergency services when needed.
Promoting Legal Protection: Ensure that women have access to legal representation and advocacy services that protect their rights and ensure they receive justice.
How We Deliver Impact
Legal Aid and Advocacy: RefPIC provides legal representation and support for survivors to ensure they have access to justice and protection under the law.
Counseling and Psychosocial Support: Our programs offer emotional support and trauma-informed counseling to help survivors heal and rebuild their lives.
Prevention and Awareness Programs: We implement education programs to raise awareness about gender-based violence and promote gender equality in communities.
Safe Spaces and Emergency Services: RefPIC establishes safe spaces where women can seek protection and access emergency services if they are at risk of violence.
Community Engagement: We work with communities to challenge harmful gender norms and promote respect and protection for women.
Who Benefits
Refugee and Displaced Women: Women benefit from protection services, legal aid, counseling, and safe spaces, ensuring their safety and empowerment.
Host Communities: Host communities benefit from gender-based violence prevention programs, fostering respect, equality, and safety for women.
International Stakeholders: Governments, NGOs, and international organizations benefit from efforts to prevent gender-based violence and promote gender equality in refugee settings.
Governance, Oversight, and Accountability
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we uphold the highest standards of governance, oversight, and accountability across all our programs. As a registered nonprofit, we operate in full compliance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and adhere to guidelines set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for charities. This ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with national laws.
In addition to federal compliance, RefPIC adheres to provincial nonprofit regulations where we operate, both within Canada and internationally. Where necessary, we incorporate separately in different jurisdictions to ensure we meet local legal requirements. This enables us to operate effectively across regions while maintaining the highest levels of accountability and legal compliance.
National and Provincial Compliance: RefPIC strictly follows Canadian laws governing nonprofit organizations, ensuring transparency, financial accountability, and ethical standards. By complying with federal and provincial nonprofit regulations, we meet all legal requirements in the regions we serve.
International Standards and Frameworks: RefPIC's work is further guided by international laws and frameworks that protect refugee rights and promote sustainable development. We align our programs with global best practices to ensure our initiatives serve refugees and displaced persons effectively.
Strong Accountability Practices: We collaborate with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure responsible resource management and effective service delivery. Through regular evaluations, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement, RefPIC ensures that our programs meet the immediate needs of refugees while contributing to long-term sustainable outcomes.
For more details, visit our Governance, Oversight, and Accountability page to learn more about our commitment to ethical practices, program evaluation, and compliance with legal frameworks.
Get Involved/Call to Action
Support Gender-Based Violence Prevention: Advocate for the protection and empowerment of women by supporting RefPIC’s efforts to prevent gender-based violence.
Volunteer: Join our programs by volunteering to provide legal aid, counseling, or support services to survivors of gender-based violence.
Partner with Us: Collaborate with RefPIC to expand gender-sensitive services and create safe, supportive environments for refugee women.
Donate: Your contributions help fund essential GBV prevention and support services, ensuring women have access to the care, protection, and opportunities they need.