Even though women comprise 25 per cent of the visible homeless population in Calgary, they have little opportunity to speak up and bring attention to their struggles with poverty and homelessness. To unite voices of vulnerable women in the city and across the country, the YWCA of Calgary welcomed the All Our Sisters 2014 National Forum banner at our downtown location on December 11, 2013.
Women with lived experiences related to poverty and homelessness, and supporters, were invited to sign the banner and add their voices to the All Our Sisters 2014 National Forum, which works to improve women’s access to safe, secure, affordable housing across Canada.
Guest speakers at the event included YWCA CEO Sue Tomney, Calgary Homeless Foundation CEO and President Dr. John Rook, Calgary author Susan Scott, and Jennifer Sputek, YWCA program support worker and woman with lived experience.
“We need to end homelessness and create safe communities, but we also need to give women with lived experience a voice,” said Jennifer Sputek.
“Lots of women who have been in my situation don’t feel like they have a voice. They don’t feel like they have the right to talk or voice their opinions or concerns. This is a fabulous way to bring Canadians together to raise awareness of safe communities, homelessness and poverty.”
The first All Our Sisters conference in 2011 was inspired by All Our Sisters: Stories of Homeless Women in Canada, authored by Susan Scott. The conference drew more than 500 people to London, Ontario. More than 100 women with lived experience were given the opportunity to share their stories of sleeping in a beat-up vehicle, on a mat or a friend’s couch.
Susan tells us it’s important to provide an avenue for women experiencing homelessness to share their stories, as they remain largely invisible in society compared to homeless men.
“We don’t know how many marginalized and homeless women there are in the country. We don’t know how many women are couch surfing, or living in overcrowded and unsafe conditions. We don’t know how many are living with abusive partners because they can’t afford to leave. Perhaps we don’t want to see them, because if we do see them we have to admit that as a society we have failed to provide women with two very important things – an adequate income and affordable, safe housing.”
“You can make a real difference by supporting organizations that help women and children, like the YWCA,” Susan continues. “You can be part of the change to make Canada a better place for future generations and help break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.”
The banner will travel to 30 different locations across Canada, gathering signatures before its arrival at the May 2014 forum in London, Ontario.
