Introduction/Overview
Services for Women refers to comprehensive gender-sensitive programs designed to address the unique needs of refugee and displaced women. These services aim to protect women from gender-based violence, provide access to healthcare, promote economic empowerment, and support leadership development. Refugee women often face specific challenges related to their health, safety, and socio-economic status, making tailored services essential for their protection and well-being.
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we work to advance the rights and well-being of women by providing programs that ensure safety, empowerment, and leadership opportunities. Our approach is designed to enable women to take active roles in their communities, protect their rights, and ensure their healthcare and economic needs are met. We prioritize their protection from violence and discrimination while promoting their ability to contribute to community leadership.
This approach aligns with key international frameworks:
United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979), which guarantees women’s rights to participate fully in all aspects of society.
Global Compact on Refugees (2018), which emphasizes the need for gender-sensitive services to protect women and girls from violence and ensure access to education, healthcare, and livelihoods.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5 & 3), focusing on gender equality and good health and well-being for all women, including refugees and displaced persons.
A Vision for Women's Empowerment and Protection
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), our vision is to create a world where refugee and displaced women are free from violence, have access to the healthcare and resources they need, and are empowered to take on leadership roles in their communities. We believe that every woman, regardless of her circumstances, has the right to live in safety, access healthcare, and achieve economic independence.
Through our programs, we provide gender-based violence prevention, healthcare services, economic empowerment initiatives, and leadership development to ensure that women are equipped with the tools they need to overcome the challenges they face. We are committed to building inclusive communities where women can thrive and contribute to the well-being of their families and society.
How We Deliver This Vision: Comprehensive Services for Women
RefPIC’s Services for Women provide a holistic approach to addressing the challenges faced by refugee and displaced women. We collaborate with healthcare providers, legal advocates, and community organizations to offer protection, healthcare, economic opportunities, and leadership training.
Key components of our Services for Women include:
Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support: Offering legal support, safe spaces, and counseling for women affected by gender-based violence, ensuring they are protected and supported.
Economic Empowerment and Livelihoods for Women: Providing vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and micro-lending opportunities to help women achieve financial independence.
Maternal and Reproductive Health Services: Offering access to maternal care, reproductive health services, and family planning to ensure the well-being of refugee women and their children.
Leadership Development and Advocacy for Women: Promoting women’s participation in community leadership and advocacy programs that empower them to take on decision-making roles.
Psychosocial Support for Women: Providing counseling and mental health services to help women heal from trauma and build emotional resilience.
Why Services for Women Matter
Refugee women face numerous challenges, including gender-based violence, limited access to healthcare, and a lack of economic opportunities. Without targeted services, many women remain vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. By offering gender-sensitive programs, RefPIC ensures that women are protected, empowered, and given the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives.
These services not only help women achieve economic independence and leadership roles but also strengthen social cohesion and contribute to the overall resilience of host communities. Empowering women helps ensure that they can support themselves, their families, and their communities, promoting greater equality and justice.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Services for Women
As RefPIC continues to expand its services for women, we are committed to enhancing access to healthcare, economic opportunities, and leadership development for refugee and displaced women. By focusing on gender-based violence prevention, maternal health, and economic empowerment, we aim to provide comprehensive support that enables women to thrive.
Our Triple Nexus Approach—integrating humanitarian assistance, development, and peacebuilding—ensures that our programs for women are part of a broader strategy to promote resilience, gender equality, and community integration.
What We Aim to Achieve
Our primary goals in supporting refugee and displaced women include:
Preventing and Addressing Gender-Based Violence: Provide safe spaces, legal support, and counseling for women affected by violence.
Promoting Economic Empowerment: Offer vocational training and micro-lending programs to help women build financial independence and entrepreneurship skills.
Ensuring Maternal and Reproductive Health: Provide maternal healthcare, reproductive health services, and family planning to safeguard the health and well-being of women and their children.
Developing Leadership and Advocacy Skills: Empower women to take on leadership roles within their communities and advocate for their rights and needs.
Providing Psychosocial Support: Offer mental health services and counseling to help women recover from trauma and build emotional resilience.
How We Deliver Impact
Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support: RefPIC provides legal assistance, safe spaces, and counseling to women affected by gender-based violence, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Economic Empowerment and Livelihoods for Women: We offer vocational training, entrepreneurship opportunities, and access to micro-lending, helping women achieve financial independence.
Maternal and Reproductive Health Services: RefPIC provides access to maternal care, reproductive health services, and family planning, promoting the health of women and their families.
Leadership Development and Advocacy: We support women’s participation in community leadership through training programs that enhance their advocacy skills and leadership abilities.
Psychosocial Support for Women: Our programs provide counseling and mental health support to help women recover from trauma and build the resilience they need to thrive.
Who Benefits
Refugee and Displaced Women: Women benefit from protection services, access to healthcare, economic empowerment programs, and leadership development, enabling them to live with dignity and independence.
Host Communities: Host communities benefit from women’s participation in economic activities, leadership roles, and community-building efforts, fostering greater social cohesion and equality.
International Stakeholders: Governments, NGOs, and international organizations benefit from gender-sensitive programs that promote the rights, health, and empowerment of women.
Governance, Oversight, and Accountability
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we uphold the highest standards of governance, oversight, and accountability across all our programs. As a registered nonprofit, we operate in full compliance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and adhere to guidelines set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for charities. This ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with national laws.
In addition to federal compliance, RefPIC adheres to provincial nonprofit regulations where we operate, both within Canada and internationally. Where necessary, we incorporate separately in different jurisdictions to ensure we meet local legal requirements. This enables us to operate effectively across regions while maintaining the highest levels of accountability and legal compliance.
National and Provincial Compliance: RefPIC strictly follows Canadian laws governing nonprofit organizations, ensuring transparency, financial accountability, and ethical standards. By complying with federal and provincial nonprofit regulations, we meet all legal requirements in the regions we serve.
International Standards and Frameworks: RefPIC's work is further guided by international laws and frameworks that protect refugee rights and promote sustainable development. We align our programs with global best practices to ensure our initiatives serve refugees and displaced persons effectively.
Strong Accountability Practices: We collaborate with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure responsible resource management and effective service delivery. Through regular evaluations, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement, RefPIC ensures that our programs meet the immediate needs of refugees while contributing to long-term sustainable outcomes.
For more details, visit our Governance, Oversight, and Accountability page to learn more about our commitment to ethical practices, program evaluation, and compliance with legal frameworks.
Get Involved/Call to Action
Support Services for Women: Advocate for gender equality and support RefPIC’s programs to protect and empower refugee women.
Volunteer: Join our efforts by volunteering to provide vocational training, support healthcare services, or facilitate leadership development programs for women.
Partner with Us: Collaborate with RefPIC to expand gender-sensitive services and promote the rights and well-being of refugee women.
Donate: Your contributions help fund critical services for women, ensuring they receive the care, protection, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Useful Resources (External Links)
Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support: UNHCR Toolkit for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence – This toolkit provides comprehensive guidance for setting up safe spaces, offering legal support, and providing counseling services to protect and support women affected by gender-based violence in refugee settings. Access the toolkit
Economic Empowerment and Livelihoods for WomenIRC Women’s Economic Empowerment Toolkit – Developed by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), this toolkit includes resources for vocational training, entrepreneurship, and micro-lending opportunities designed to foster financial independence among refugee women. Access the toolkit
Maternal and Reproductive Health Services: WHO Reproductive Health Manual for Refugee Settings – This manual from the World Health Organization (WHO) offers guidelines on providing maternal and reproductive healthcare, including family planning services, to improve the well-being of women and children in refugee communities. Access the manual
Leadership Development and Advocacy for Women: UN Women Leadership and Advocacy Toolkit – This toolkit provides resources for fostering leadership skills and advocacy among refugee women, encouraging their participation in decision-making roles and empowering them to advocate for their rights. Access the toolkit
Psychosocial Support for Women: IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings – These guidelines from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) offer a framework for providing counseling and mental health services to refugee women, addressing trauma and promoting emotional resilience. Access the guidelines