Being a woman can bring benefits, but also difficulties. Out of service users, the majority identify as a woman. Many of our service users struggle with homelessness, low income, child welfare involvement, intimate partner violence and more.
Kujenga’s Data
15 Women access supports and resources from the Kujali Line from March to May 2021
19 Women access supports and resources from the Kujali Line from June 2021 to December 2021
Kujenga receives referrals from child welfare agencies, the website, social services agencies and through word of mouth. Women often express concerns in their lives with securing safe homes, addressing challenges in their family, meeting their families economic needs, and navigating systems involved within their lives.
Queen’s Unite
In January 2021, Kujenga started a women’s group geared to support women to express their feelings and describe their experiences in a safe, non judgmental space. Since January, the Kujenga team has led four groups for women hosting 21 women. To join our group, contact us today.
National data
National data shows that there are approximately 620,000 Black-identifying women and girls residing in Canada. There are approximately 1.2 million Black people in Canada. Black Canadians experience disparities and inequity due to anti-Black racism. The Kujenga’s team has witnessed these inequities first-hand as experienced by our service users. We are uniquely positioned to support and guide our community with the tools and resources designed to meet their needs.
20 % of Black Students drop out of high school, compared to 11 % of White students.
Durham Region shows similar stats with inequity rates as high as 10-15% than White or racialized students.
Unemployment rates for Black women are twice as high for other women.
Kujenga’s service users expressed difficulties in the school system, noting that their children experienced anti-Black racism. In one case, a parent noted that her child and other Black children in the class were repeatedly sent to the office.
Many women struggled with homelessness, and were not able to secure safe housing. One parent was denied safe housing despite insisting that her children and herself experienced anti-Black racism in their community. Alternatively, women who had unhealthy relationships were charged with assaulting their partners, and women’s whose partners were charged with assault, experienced hardships.
Kujenga relied on volunteers, mentors, and our senior team to support, advocate and guide women through these life experiences. However, policy changes are evitable on an direct and large-scale environment to create change for Black women.
Policy Change and Data is required to understand women’s experiences in health, the criminal justice system, the labour market, academia, and social barriers. For more information about Recommendations for Change, visit: The Canadian Centre for Policy Initiatives.
We are honored and privileged to share the stories. Data proves to policy makers that the evidence exists. However, we know that change needs to occur.
“The Queens Unite Group gave me a safe space to share, express and be connected with women who experience the same walk of life as me. It feels great to know I won’t be judged or perceived wrongly for how I feel because I truly feel seen, understood and respected enough to share and ask for help about my life and experiences”
A participant
“The women shared they found it comforting to be able to share, feel heard, and support each other with their feelings, and challenges related to parenting, and stress related to covid changes.”
A facilitator
“Seeing the understanding and recognition of history and racial trauma in the group has been very profound as I noticed that the narrative that members have used is now less of an individual failure but more of a collective struggle that they are doing their best to work through and have accomplished much despite our starting point in history.”
A facilitator
Additional Resources
Through our partnerships with community organizations, we are pleased to share other community members doing great work. If you wish to join our partnership, please feel free to send us a message.
Mommy Matters by Cecile Edwards
“Mommy Matters is for the spiritual, heart-centered individual, searching for tools to evolve and elevate themselves, their communities and the world. We believe that caring for care givers(mom, dad, teacher, nurse), elevates children”. – Listen on Spotify
Women of Color Remake Wellness
“Cultivating a safe space for Black, Indigenous and Womxn of Colour to explore health and wellness“
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