Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support: Ensuring Safety for Refugee and Displaced Women

A Vision for Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support

Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC) envisions a world where refugee women live free from gender-based violence, in environments where their rights are respected and upheld. We believe that protecting women from violence is a critical step toward ensuring their safety, empowering them to participate fully in their communities, and promoting gender equality.

Through our GBV Prevention and Support programs, we provide survivors with access to legal aid, counseling, safe spaces, and ongoing support. We also implement community awareness initiatives and educational programs to prevent violence, promote gender equity, and create safer environments for refugee women and girls.

How We Deliver This Vision: Comprehensive Programs for Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support

RefPIC’s GBV Prevention and Support programs are designed to address both immediate needs of survivors and the root causes of violence within refugee communities. We collaborate with local authorities, healthcare providers, and legal professionals to offer protection and support services, while also working to educate communities and raise awareness about the dangers of gender-based violence.

Key components of our Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support programs include:

• Legal Aid and Advocacy: Providing legal support and advocacy services to help survivors navigate the legal system, ensuring they receive justice and protection.

  
  

• Counseling and Mental Health Support: Offering trauma-informed counseling and mental health services to help survivors heal and rebuild their lives.

  
  

• Safe Spaces for Women and Girls: Creating safe environments where women and girls can seek refuge from violence and receive the care and support they need.

  
  

• Community Awareness and Prevention Programs: Implementing education and awareness campaigns to challenge harmful norms, promote gender equality, and prevent violence before it occurs.

  
  

• Training for Healthcare and Legal Professionals: Equipping professionals with the skills to identify and respond to cases of gender-based violence, ensuring survivors receive appropriate care and support.

  
  

Why Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Matters

Refugee and displaced women are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence due to the instability and challenges of displacement. Without adequate protection, women face significant risks of abuse, exploitation, and trauma. By providing gender-sensitive services and prevention programs, RefPIC ensures that women are protected, supported, and empowered to live safely and independently.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support

As RefPIC continues to grow, we remain committed to expanding our efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in refugee communities. Our programs are constantly evolving to meet the needs of survivors, raise community awareness, and provide education that fosters safer, more equitable communities.

What We Aim to Achieve

Our primary goals in Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support include:

• Preventing Gender-Based Violence: Implementing education and awareness campaigns to reduce the incidence of violence within refugee communities.

  
  

• Providing Legal and Mental Health Support: Offering comprehensive legal aid and mental health services to survivors, ensuring their protection and healing.

  
  

• Creating Safe Spaces for Women and Girls: Establishing shelters and safe spaces where women and girls can seek refuge and receive essential services.

  
  

• Raising Community Awareness: Educating communities on the importance of gender equality and the prevention of violence against women and girls.

  
  

How We Deliver Impact

• Legal Aid and Advocacy: RefPIC provides legal assistance and advocacy services to survivors of gender-based violence, helping them access justice and protection.

  
  

• Counseling and Mental Health Support: Our trauma-informed counseling services ensure that survivors receive the emotional support they need to heal from their experiences.

  
  

• Safe Spaces for Women and Girls: RefPIC creates safe spaces where women can escape violence and access comprehensive support services, ensuring their safety and well-being.

  
  

• Community Awareness and Education: We organize community education programs to raise awareness about gender-based violence and promote gender equality within refugee communities.

  
  

Who Benefits

• Refugee and Displaced Women and Girls: Women and girls benefit from legal protection, mental health support, and safe environments, allowing them to live free from violence and exploitation.

  
  

• Host Communities: Host communities benefit from increased awareness and reduced violence, fostering a safer and more equitable society.

  
  

• International Stakeholders: Government, NGOs, and international organizations benefit from gender-sensitive programs that promote the rights, health, and safety of refugee women and girls.

  
  

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 Programs: Advocate for gender equality and support RefPIC’s efforts to protect women from violence.

  
  

• Volunteer: Help by offering your expertise in legal aid, counseling, or community outreach to assist survivors of gender-based violence.

  
  

• Partner with Us: Collaborate with RefPIC to expand gender-based violence prevention services and protect refugee women.

  
  

• Donate: Your contributions help fund critical services that protect women from violence and provide support to survivors.