Shop Local, Shop Female Owned

While the holiday season may be coming to a close, the time between Christmas and New Years is a wonderful time to shop local and get those last-minute gifts (or treats for yourself—you deserve it)! Today we’ll be profiling some of the many amazing female owned businesses in our community, so you can shop until you drop while supporting local women’s entrepreneurship!  

With the COVID-19 situation constantly evolving in British Columbia, we encourage you to check out the website or give the business a call before going in, to learn about how they’re working to keep customers and employees safe. Many businesses featured offer delivery or curbside pickup options, so make sure you take a look at their website to learn more. 

If you are able, shopping small businesses (especially those owned by women) is a great way to support our local economy.  

Supporting someone experiencing domestic violence

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, fewer than one in five women who had been abused by their spouse reported abuse to police. This statistic is jarring: it exposes the secrecy that is often part of violence against women and the amount of bravery required to come forward. Moreover, it highlights the importance of being supportive of those who choose to share their abuse. 

 As a loved one of someone who is experiencing domestic violence, it’s important to remember that it is not your responsibility to save them. Instead, you can be there to provide support and encouragement. 

The Connection Between Gun Violence and Violence Against Women

In Canada, one out of every three women killed by an abuser is shot with a gun. Today, we’re going to discuss how gun violence is as much a gender issue as a public safety issue. The Canadian Women’s Foundation finds that the single greatest predictor that domestic violence will turn lethal is if the abuser has access to a firearm. With this grave reality in mind, it’s important to understand how the presence of a firearm in an abusive relationship can cause violence to escalate into femicide. Domestic homicide and the very real threat posed by an abuser with a gun