Womanact

Safe. Housed. Supported. Equal.

What would it take to build a Toronto where everyone can live free from gender-based violence?

Gender-based violence is not only an individual or interpersonal issue. It is also shaped by the conditions in which people live — including whether they can access safe and affordable housing, move safely through the city, access public spaces and services, and find the supports they need.

Many of these conditions are shaped by municipal decisions.

The City of Toronto has responsibilities and levers related to housing and homelessness services, public transit, transportation and street design, public spaces, community and social services, emergency services, and local economic and community development. These areas can play an important role in preventing violence, reducing barriers to safety and support, and creating more equitable communities.

This election is an opportunity to ask candidates how they would use the City’s existing responsibilities, services and resources to help build safer, more equitable communities.

Follow along and get informed ahead of Toronto’s municipal election on October 26, 2026.

💡Learn more about the Toronto municipal elections: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/

On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, WomanACT staff reflected on the importance of listening to lived experiences and Indigenous voices—not only on September 30th, but every day.

Honouring truth means acknowledging Canada’s colonial foundations and the ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous communities. This includes understanding how systems of violence, displacement, and discrimination continue to shape experiences of gender-based violence.

Reconciliation requires listening, learning, and taking action toward safer, more equitable communities. We honour the truth by making space for Indigenous voices and supporting the work of Indigenous communities and leaders.

Thank you to the Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto, APTN, and National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation for bringing community together to learn and reflect.

October 1st marks International Senior's Day.

Gender-based violence (GBV) does not stop with age. Older women can experience intimate partner violence, financial and economic abuse, coercive control, and other forms of violence that can be shaped by ageism, gender inequality, and social isolation.

Recognizing and responding to GBV against older women means ensuring that older survivors are included in prevention, services, policy, and systems change.

Learn more about violence against older women and the ways we can strengthen responses at https://womanact.ca/publications/infographic-violence-against-older-women/

Truth and Reconciliation calls on all of us to listen, learn, and take action.

For those working to end gender-based violence, reconciliation means understanding how colonialism and systemic inequities continue to shape experiences of violence, safety, and access to support.

It means recognizing the strength, knowledge, and leadership of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, while challenging the systems that continue to cause harm.

Today, we honour Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities, and the children who never returned home.

Reconciliation is not a single day or a statement. It is an ongoing responsibility grounded in accountability, learning, and action.

Financial abuse can have lasting and significant impacts on survivors’ lives.

In our research, 80% of respondents rated the impact of financial abuse as high or extremely significant (WomanACT, 2026)

Financial abuse is about more than money — it can affect safety, independence, and access to resources. Recognizing its impact is an important step toward building better supports for survivors.

Learn more about the impact of financial abuse at https://womanact.ca/publications/the-impact-of-financial-abuse/

Thank you to everyone who joined WomanACT’s Annual General Meeting on September 24! 💜

This year’s AGM was an opportunity to come together, reflect on the past year, and look ahead to the work still to come. We celebrated a year of meaningful progress, collaboration, and systems change across our work to address gender-based violence — while recognizing that there is still so much more to do.

We reflected on the importance of community, survivor engagement, and membership in making lasting change possible. Our work is grounded in the knowledge, experiences, and leadership of survivors, our members, community partners, and allies. Without this community and the relationships we build together, our work would not have the same meaning or impact.

Thank you to everyone who attended, participated in the conversations, shared their perspectives, and continues to contribute to the WomanACT community. Your support, expertise, and commitment help us continue pushing for safer, more equitable communities.

We want to extend a special thanks to Lynda Kosowan Executive Director of Scarborough Women's Centre - SWC and our community-based researchers Chanice, and Vitangalee for speaking at the AGM and sharing their experiences, perspectives, and the importance of creating space for lived experience and community knowledge to shape the work we do.

As we look toward another year, we’re proud of what we have accomplished together and energized by the work ahead. There is more work to be done, and we’re looking forward to another impactful year at WomanACT — together.

WomanACT was honoured to attend the Women's Habitat of Etobicoke Boundless Gala: Shades of Mexico💜

It was a meaningful evening of celebration and connection, bringing together violence against women workers, community members, and sector supporters to celebrate the work being done to build safer communities.

Thank you to Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke for bringing the community together and creating space to recognize the people and organizations working toward change. We would also like to thank Women's Habitat for being a long-standing member of WomanACT.

Celebrating the work and legacy of Scarborough Women's Centre - SWC 💜

At their AGM, WomanACT was grateful to hear about the Centre’s longstanding work supporting women and survivors in Scarborough and beyond. Thank you to SWC for their continued support of our work through their WomanACT membership.

As Executive Director Lynda Kosowan prepares to retire in 2026, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Lynda for her decades of leadership and commitment to the violence against women sector, and to the entire SWC team for the important work they continue to do.

Thank you, Lynda, for your years of dedication and for the lasting impact of your work. We wish you all the best in this next chapter.

Join us at the WomanACT AGM on September 24 for a special conversation between WomanACT Executive Director, Harmy Mendoza and Lynda Kosowan, the Executive Director of Scarborough Women's Centre - SWC , on the value of membership, building connections across the sector, and the power of collective action.

A longtime WomanACT member and supporter, Lynda has spent 40 years working in the violence-against-women sector, including through her leadership at Scarborough Women’s Centre. As she retires in 2026, we’re honoured to celebrate her contributions and the lasting impact of her leadership across Toronto’s gender-based violence sector.

Come hear Lynda and Harmy reflect on the importance of community, collaboration, and working together to create change.

📅 September 24, 2026
📍 Oakham Lounge, TMU Student Campus Centre
🕕 5:45–9:00 PM

Registration is open — we hope to see you there! Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997059021292?aff=oddtdtcreator