Learn more about issues that largely affect women in our region, and how United Way and our front-line agency partners are helping break down these barriers to help those in need.

This article contains brief mentions of violence against women. If you need immediate support, 211 Alberta can connect you with resources that can help.

Throughout history and today, women and girls in the Edmonton region face complex challenges that prevent them from living their best lives due to sexism and other forms of systemic oppression. This issue is what draws passionate supporters of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region to rally behind Women United.

Supporters come together in their purpose to lift and care for one another, to create a world where everyone is safe and empowered. Women United contributions go directly to United Way programs and local front-line agencies that offer services and resources to women and girls who face intersectional barriers to success.

In this article, we share how United Way and our local front-line agencies work together to address barriers that largely impact women in our community.

Thanks in part to financial contributions made to United Way through Women United, last year more than 12,000 people received support related to gender-based violence, financial insecurity, under-employment, lack of access to early childhood education, and period poverty.

Together, we can make a real and lasting difference.

Several United Way-funded agencies provide support for people who have been impacted by family violence and sexual assault.
Photo by Adobe Stock.

3,420 people impacted by family violence and sexual assault found mental health support through United Way-funded agencies.

While anyone of any gender can experience family violence, intimate partner violence or sexual assault, women and girls are disproportionately affected by these issues. Two-thirds of Alberta women report experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime, and women and girls are twice as likely to report experiencing family violence. It’s also likely that many people who experience violence do not report it to the authorities.

Several United Way-funded agencies provide counselling, violence prevention education, shelter services, crisis lines, and more and other mental health support specifically for people who have been impacted by family violence and sexual assault, such as A Safe Place, Riseup Society Alberta, Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, and The Today Family Violence Centre.

United Way’s Empower U program helps people gain confidence with the banking system, improve their relationship with money, and access government supports. Photo by Adobe Stock.

222 people accessed financial education through United Way’s Empower U program

There is compelling evidence that women and the families they care for have more barriers to achieving financial security. Banking can be particularly challenging for people who may feel intimidated or unwelcome at traditional financial institutions, or because they can’t access products and services to meet their needs. In addition to the fact that women tend to live longer and experience gender wage inequality, single-parent families headed by women are more likely to experience poverty.

Empower U is a United Way program delivered through 10 agency partners, primarily focused on supporting women (although two agencies do welcome male participants). This financial empowerment initiative helps people gain confidence with the banking system, improve their relationship with money, and access government supports.

United Way supports front-line agencies that provide job training and education so people can improve their life skills and pursue better paying or more stable work. Photo by Adobe Stock.

706 people accessed employment services including job readiness, training, and support in finding and retaining employment

The gender pay gap still exists in our region, and across Alberta, and addressing it requires a multifaceted approach. For instance, some women are more likely to work low-paying or part-time jobs that allow for more flexible hours, because they can’t find or afford steady childcare. Similarly, some women may not be able to pursue higher education or other job training opportunities due to discrimination, gender stereotypes, caregiving responsibilities, or the cost of education.

United Way supports front-line agencies that provide job training and education so people can improve their life skills and pursue better paying or more stable work. Project Adult Literacy Society offers free tutoring to adult learners who want to improve their literacy, language, math, and digital skills to work towards employment or academic goals. CEASE provides tools for persons who have experienced sexual exploitation or sex trafficking to heal and renew their lives through counselling, court support, educational support, and financial management training.

Supporting children and their families in the early years not only benefits individuals, but also contributes to a healthier, more resilient society. Stock photo by Studio Turkey.

8,059 children and caregivers accessed support for early childhood development, family literacy, and/or healthy parent-child attachment.

When children and families experience poverty or other long-term, high-stress environments, it can have a lasting impact on their lives. They have a harder time making strong connections with each other, which sets back brain development and school readiness in young children.

Supporting children and their families in the early years not only benefits individuals, but also contributes to a healthier, more resilient society. United Way leads initiatives and funds agencies that provide opportunities for positive childhood development, such as The Kid Kit®, The Centre for Family Literacy, Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre, St. Albert Family Resource Centre, Connect Society, and KARA Family Resource Centre.

Healthy parent-child attachment fosters emotional security, which impacts mental health throughout life. Children who experience supportive child development and healthy family relationships are better prepared for the social aspects of school and can focus on academics. Caregivers grow and develop their parenting skills, and report feeling less frustrated, more patient, and more likely to enjoy playing with their child.

Period Promise rallies our community to hold collection drives and donate period products. Then, United Way works with our network of front-line agency partners to distribute those period products to vulnerable people in need. Photo by United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.

15,563 period products were distributed to front-line agencies through United Way’s Period Promise initiative.

Menstrual products are a necessity, but for many vulnerable people, they can be hard to come by. One in six people who menstruate in Canada say they have struggled to afford period products for themselves. When people don’t have menstrual products, they miss school, work, or other opportunities to participate in their community. Limited access period products can also impact people’s safety, dignity, and health.

United Way’s Period Promise initiative is addressing period poverty in our communities by working to improve access to period products while challenging stigma. United Way rallies our community to hold collection drives and donate period products, such as tampons and pads. Then, we work with our network of front-line agency partners to distribute those period products to vulnerable people in need.

Your support makes a difference

While too many women and girls in the Alberta Capital Region continue to face inequality, supporters of Women United make a real difference.

Women United contributions go directly to United Way programs and front-line agencies, supporting services and resources that empower women and girls to overcome intersectional barriers to success.