Browsing by Author "Fotheringham, Sarah"

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    Insights on Engaging Men and Boys in Creating a More Gender Equal Future in Canada
    (2023-10-03) Wells, Lana; Fotheringham, Sarah; Pascoe, Laura
    This article presents findings from a national qualitative research study of 33 diverse and profeminist leaders who identify as men and are engaged in gender equality work with men and boys across Canada. Key findings include the need to meet men where they are at, moving away from the ineffective “all men are perpetrators” frame, and to evolve to new and more relatable narratives and approaches that get men committed to this work for their own liberation. Taking an intersectional approach and working in partnership with feminist and intersectional organizations are essential to advancing gender equality in the Canadian context.
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    Les hommes de demain, aujourd’hui : Perspective d’hommes canadiens concernant l’engagement des hommes et des garçons quant à la création d’un futur égalitaire entre les genres
    (2019-10) Fotheringham, Sarah; Wells, Lana
    En 2018, le gouvernement fédéral a lancé un appel d'offres pour mener une étude nationale de recherche avec des hommes. Cette étude servirait de base à l'élaboration d'une stratégie fédérale d'engagement des hommes et des garçons qui favorise l'égalité des genres et permettrait de développer une compréhension plus nuancée des masculinités dans la société canadienne en examinant les expériences des hommes qui résistent aux hiérarchies et aux préjugés sexistes. En novembre 2018, Shift a obtenu le contrat et a mené une étude qualitative pour révéler les motivations et les expériences des hommes pro-féministes actuellement engagés dans le travail sur l'égalité des genres au Canada et pour apprendre comment nous pouvons attirer, inviter, encourager et soutenir d'autres hommes et garçons à s'engager et à se mobiliser dans ce travail. Trente-trois hommes pro-féministes ont été interviewés d'un bout à l'autre du pays. Ce rapport de recherche souligne les thèmes, les leçons, et les recommandations sur la manière dont nous pouvons mieux soutenir les hommes qui sont promoteurs de l'égalité des genres et de la prévention de la violence sexiste.
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    Social Enterprise for Low-Income Women: A Valuable Component of Anti-Poverty Work in Canada
    (2016) Fotheringham, Sarah; Walsh, Christine; Graham, John; Este, David; Mendell, Marguerite; McKenzie, Brad; Nelson, Fiona
    Canadian women, and particular groups of women, are disproportionately burdened by poverty. Social enterprise is a possible solution to unemployment and low income, but little research pertains to women. A collective case study method, with three women-specific social enterprises in three Canadian cities was employed. Data was collected in 2012 from interviews with staff members and participants, site visits, observations and documentation. Results indicate these models train and employ women who have little opportunity. Through a women-informed, intersectional model, services can be customized to respond to the needs of particular populations of women. Women’s chance of success increases when programs provide combinations of soft and hard skill training, followed by employment in an environment that simultaneously offers comprehensive support. Women are thus supported economically by learning important transferable job and life skills, gaining employment experience and earning an income. Socially, women are helped through various support services and through the building of relationships and self esteem. Organizations receive income generated from the business activity, increase their social standing in the community, and contribute to addressing public needs. The creation of social capital is another advantage. Two main challenges were identified. First, women’s social enterprise appears to be consistently under-funded, leaving these organizations in a position where tough financial decisions occur, often at the cost of the social objective, or vice versa. Further, lack of financial resources also restricts the ability of the enterprise to effectively market their business, thus impacting business generation and employment opportunity for women. Second, there is evidence that questions the long-term economic sustainability for women. Due to low wages, inconsistent hours, lack of further training and additional employment opportunities, women are earning little and continue to depend on other financial supports. These difficulties are linked with an under-resourced sector, begging the question: if funding increased, would these challenges be mitigated? Women’s social enterprise is a valuable approach to alleviating women’s unemployment, exclusion and poverty. However, these models requires further subsidy and ongoing support, and need to be part of a wider structural response to these issues, which include involvement from government, community and other social services.
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    Strengthening the Circle: An International Review of Government Domestic Violence Prevention Plans and Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples
    (2020-01) Fotheringham, Sarah; Wells, Lana; Goulet, Sharon
    This study describes the level of government commitment in preventing domestic violence (DV) towards Indigenous women in countries of the Global North. Seventy-two government-endorsed DV prevention plans across 11 countries were analyzed. While over half of the plans acknowledged Indigenous peoples, the main discourse reinforced a western DV paradigm, reproduced negative stereotypes, and ignored systemic factors. Little consideration for intersectionality, the impact of colonization, or Indigenous worldviews was evident. Targeted prevention strategies were found but were disjointed and culturally inappropriate. Taken together, these findings suggest minimal government commitment and absence of cultural understanding regarding DV in Indigenous communities.
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    Tomorrow’s Men Today: Canadian Men’s Insights on Engaging Men and Boys in Creating a More Gender Equal Future
    (2019-10) Fotheringham, Sarah; Wells, Lana
    In 2018, the federal government put out a competitive bidding process to conduct a national research study with men to inform the development of a federal engagement strategy for men and boys that promotes gender equality and to develop a more nuanced understanding of masculinities in Canadian society by seeking lived experiences of men who resist gender-based hierarchies and prejudices. In November 2018, Shift was awarded the contract and designed a qualitative study to reveal the motivations and experiences of pro-feminist men currently engaged in gender equality work in Canada and to learn how we can attract, invite, encourage, and support other men and boys to get engaged and mobilized in this work. Thirty-three male-identified gender equality advocates were interviewed from coast to coast to coast. This research report highlights themes, lessons learned and recommendations on how we can better support male-identified gender equality and violence prevention advocates.