"Women & the Environment” Project in Motion!

“This project is the initial stage of a long-term environmental initiative of the YWCA of Muskoka; this focus on gender and the environment is shared with YWCA Canada and the Standing Committee on the Status of Women in Canada. This community-based research project considers the interconnections between women and their daily environments (natural, social and constructed), impacts on women’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and influence on the health of children and their families.

This project aims to identify the primary issues of environmental concern for women of Muskoka, including the voices of often marginalized groups (First Nations, youth, elderly, women with (dis)abilities).”

This excerpt is from a recent application to present our exciting “Women & the Environment” project at an upcoming conference. The YWCA of Muskoka recently welcomed a new intern through the Youth Eco-Internship program who will be working with the YWCA on this project. Throughout the nine months of the internship, the intern will develop an informational document about women, health and the environment, using key informant interviews and kitchen table discussions with community members to gather local knowledge and gain an understanding of what women are concerned about regarding their health and the environment here in Muskoka. This project will help guide the YWCA of Muskoka in taking on gender and the environment as an area of action in Muskoka.

Check in at our website for more updates as the project progresses!