The City of Toronto has partnered with Social Planning Toronto to lead community consultations to inform their new Gender Equity Strategy. These consultations will take place from December 2021 until February 2022. 

These consultations will have a special focus on reaching women, girls, trans, Two Spirit and non-binary individuals from Indigenous populations, equity-owed groups, and/or vulnerable populations. This includes, but is not limited to, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTIQ+, persons living with disabilities, newcomers, refugees, low-income residents, seniors and youth — all of whom often face barriers to influencing civic decisions that significantly impact their lives. 

Background

Women, girls, trans, Two Spirit and non-binary individuals make up more than 52 percent of Toronto's population. They are as diverse as the City in terms of their ethnicity, race, age, religion, immigration status, ability, sexual orientation and income. Yet, they face disproportionately higher rates of violence, greater poverty including more precarious employment, lower wages, religious discrimination based on attire, and are underrepresented in political and professional leadership positions. 

To address intersectional gender inequities, in October 2019, Toronto City Council directed staff to develop a Gender Equity Unit and a City of Toronto Gender Equity Strategy. This work focuses on City of Toronto programs, service delivery, outcomes and workforce initiatives that will help to decrease inequities experienced by diverse women, girls, trans and non-binary people in Toronto.

About the Consultation

The City of Toronto’s newly established Gender Equity Unit has partnered with Social Planning Toronto to lead a community consultation process to inform the Gender Equity Strategy that is being developed. These consultations aim to:

• Understand the diverse needs, experiences, and aspirations of women, girls, trans, Two Spirit and non-binary people in Toronto, including but not limited to representation from Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTIQ+, persons living with disabilities, newcomers, refugees, low-income residents, seniors and youth
  
  
• Identify the challenges and opportunities for addressing intersectional inequities in City of Toronto programs, services and policies
  
  
• Identify short and long-term priorities for the forthcoming Gender Equity Strategy

Before you Participate

Before you participate in the consultation, you may want to think through how gender equity and inequality play out in your day-to-day experiences — particularly as it relates to services and programs offered by the City. The following resources may be helpful:

• Municipal Literacy Toolkit: A Guide to Help Women and Girls Advocate for their Rights in Toronto (Toronto Women’s City Alliance)
• Women & Housing, Transit, and Recreation (videos by Toronto Women’s City Alliance)
• GBA+: Equality or Equity? (video by Women and Gender Equality Canada)
• GBA+: Beyond Sex and Gender (video by Women and Gender Equality Canada)
• A Profile of Gender Inequities in Toronto (City of Toronto)
• Gender Equity Initiatives Currently Underway (City of Toronto)

How to Participate

Online Survey

We want to hear from you! Submit your thoughts through the online public survey. We encourage women, girls and gender diverse residents from equity-owed groups across Toronto to participate. The survey will be open from December 17, 2021 until February 23, 2022.

>>Access the online survey

Share a Story or Photo

Please use this form to share any stories and/or images that speak to the aspirations, resilience or challenges experienced by women, girls, trans, non-binary and Two Spirit residents. The Story and Photo Form will be open from December 17, 2021 to February 23, 2022.

>>Access the Story and Photo Form

Group Discussions

SPT is also working directly with community-led groups, agencies, coalitions, networks, and resident leaders to hold the consultations with diverse women, girls, trans, non-binary and Two Spirit individuals across Toronto. 

Group discussions will be held between December 17, 2021 and February 23, 2022. 

SPT will also be hosting several discussions with agencies who serve these communities.

Please check back regularly for more updates.

Questions? 

Please email [email protected].