Women & Gender Affairs

African Centre in Toronto strives and focuses on addressing systemic barriers to women’s equality in three priority areas: ending violence against women, and girls; improving the economic security and prosperity of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.

Become a Member

Support Areas:

1. Gender-based Violence

ACT understands that violence can be broadly divided into three categories—direct violence, structural violence, and cultural violence. It can also be viewed through different lenses such as:

  • Physical abuse
  • Domestic violence or abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Psychological or emotional abuse
  • Financial or material abuse
  • Modern slavery
  • Discriminatory abuse
  • Organizational or institutional abuse

As such, ACT endeavors to:

  • Provide support and counseling for women and their children who are at risk or have experienced violence.
  • Raise awareness to promote violence prevention and systemic change in gender-based violence.

2. Women Support in Settlement

  • Collaborate with women’s shelters to ensure proper settlement and integration.
  • Host virtual and in-person information sessions.
  • Support in filling and translating documents in Swahili and French.
  • Collaborate with youth through outreach, recognizing that youth are the backbone of the nation, its continuity, and sustainability.

Gender & Sexual Diversity Department

AFRICAN CENTER TORONTO – Gender and Sexual Diversity Department

Overview

The Sexual and Gender Diversity Department is designed to address the needs of marginalized and oppressed individuals, people, and communities who are sexual and gender minorities immigrants living in Canada. The goal of the department is to identify and eliminate societal barriers that prevent sexually and gender diverse persons from fully participating in society. This aligns with the African Center’s goal of inclusivity by providing assistance without discrimination. The department seeks to reach as many migrants as possible who can benefit from our robust programs and services. Our objectives are achieved through the dedication of individuals working towards the department’s mission and vision.

Functions of the Department

  • Developing, reviewing, interpreting, implementing, and monitoring gender and sexuality policies and programs.
  • Designing and facilitating projects that promote the inclusion of sexually and gender-diverse persons in organizational programs and services.
  • Promoting socio-economic empowerment of sexual and gender minority immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees.
  • Conducting research on the lives of LGBTIQ+ immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees to identify gaps and provide solutions and recommendations for a holistic life.
  • Initiating the development of a gender and sexuality resource center.
  • Monitoring the prevalence of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence among sexual and gender minority immigrants.
  • Developing and promoting partnerships and collaborations with stakeholders.
  • Community mobilization, sensitization, and education on issues faced by LGBTIQ+ immigrants.