Women Rights
Empowering Racialized Women and Girls
BCS is committed to advancing gender equality and empowering immigrant and racialized women through leadership development, mentorship, advocacy, and skills training.
Working from anti-oppressive and feminist principles, our programs help women overcome barriers to employment, leadership, and economic participation while creating supportive community networks.
Programs include:
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Leadership Development
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Mentorship
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Employment Readiness
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Workplace Skills
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Project Management
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Community Leadership
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Gender Equality Advocacy
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Peer Support
Our programs strengthen women's voices while promoting economic security and social inclusion.
Our Projects
1
Racialized Immigrant Women in Toronto East Rise for Economic Security and Prosperity
(Women RISE)
Funder: Women and Gender Equality Canada (2024-2026)
The Women RISE Project empowers racialized immigrant women and girls through feminist leadership development, community engagement, community-based research, mentorship, and advocacy. By strengthening leadership skills, expanding social and professional networks, and amplifying women's voices, the project creates pathways to economic security and prosperity. Women RISE also addresses systemic barriers related to gender inequality, promotes social inclusion, and supports women in achieving greater economic independence, community participation, and leadership in decision-making.
2
Fighting Misogyny and Stereotypes against Racialized Women and Girls in Toronto (Fight Misogyny, Achieve Gender Equality)
Funder: Women and Gender Equality Canada
(2021-2022)
This project supported a feminist response and recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 by promoting systemic change. It created safe spaces to empower racialized women and girls in Toronto East neighbourhoods who were affected by the pandemic. The project supported participants in developing feminist leadership skills while raising public awareness about the impacts of misogyny and gender stereotypes on women’s rights through community forums, dialogues with participants, community leaders, and policymakers, as well as media and social media campaigns.
“Women RISE has been a transformative experience that strengthened my confidence, leadership skills, and connection to my identity as an immigrant woman. Through storytelling, arts-based engagement, mentorship, and community-based research, I found my voice and developed the courage to advocate for issues affecting immigrant communities. The project created a space where I felt valued, connected, and empowered to share my perspectives. The skills and experiences I gained through Women RISE have directly supported my professional journey, my work with Indigenous communities, and my academic goals. This experience inspired my Ph.D. research on immigrant women’s experiences and continues to shape my commitment to community advocacy and social change.”
— Amanda Zhu, Women RISE Leader and Ph.D. Candidate