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From Nov. 2, to Nov. 5, 90 dedicated Unifor sisters and siblings received a comprehensive update training for the Women’s Advocate Program.
The multi-day session, which took place at the Unifor Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ont., focused on equipping Women’s Advocates with advanced tools and knowledge to combat intimate partner violence (IPV), economic abuse, and the intersection of women living with disabilities, underscoring the vital role these advocates play in creating healthier, safer workplaces and communities.
The Women’s Advocate program is a key union initiative with over 720 bargained advocates across the country who are specially trained workplace representatives who assist women. Advocates provide support in accessing community and workplace resources, to achieve healthier workplaces and a path to safety for women.
“The Women’s Advocate program is one of the best tools our union has to address violence against women through peer support to leave dangerous situations and find a path to safety,” said Tracey Ramsey, Unifor Women’s Director.
“The yearly three-Day update course is important because the challenges that arise in our workplaces and communities are evolving. It ensures our advocates are equipped with the most current knowledge and resources to support our members effectively and compassionately.”
The training featured a robust agenda, including speakers, panel discussions, and breakout groups.
Guest speaker, Bonnie Brayton, CEO of the DisAbility Women’s Network (DAWN), addressed the intersections of women living with disabilities and experiencing IPV, highlighting issues like traumatic brain injuries. Meseret Haileyesus, founder of the Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE), shared new programs and tools to support women impacted by economic abuse, a crucial and often overlooked form of control.
In addition to guest speakers, participants learned about access to new resources and received an update on legislative efforts.
The training included an introduction to the IHEAL App, a new digital resource co-developed by Dr. Marilyn Ford-Gilboe and Karen Campbell, designed to provide safe access to community resources for women. It also included a panel discussion on IPV, featuring Regional Women’s Committee Chairs Sybil Joseph (British Columbia Regional Council), Tracy-Lynne (Prairie Regional Council), Sarah-Kai Antanaitis (Ontario Regional Council), and Koren Beaman (Atlantic Regional Council). Panelists detailed their efforts to have IPV declared an epidemic in their regions through legislative change.
The update also included training on the Women’s Advocate Tracking Tool, scenario activities to prepare advocates for real-world support situations, and a workshop on the Rise of the Right.
The next three-Day Women’s Advocate Update will take place March 29 to April 1, 2026, in Port Elgin. Keep an eye out for the call letter to attend.
