Organization hopes to address systematic barriers
By Mary O’Leary
Funded by Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada, PRUDE Inc.’s Women’s Project for Rural New Brunswick seeks to advance women’s economic security and representation in leadership roles.
It will address systemic barriers faced by newcomer women living in rural settings. The program will help them share their experiences through various mechanisms, including narrative storytelling and visual media.
Once collected, these stories will help the organization and its partners develop recommendations and an action plan to support systemic change within select rural communities.
Woodstock has been named one of 3 rural towns in the province where PRUDE Inc., in collaboration with existing community partners, will engage with newcomer women and hear their life experiences acclimatizing to a new country in the unique setting that rural communities offer.
Moving to rural communities in Canada offers several unique benefits for newcomer women, including a higher quality of life, closer access to nature, opportunities for community integration, and a slower-paced lifestyle to foster personal well-being.
Towns and villages often have a more intimate atmosphere, making it easier for women to build meaningful relationships and form strong support networks. In rural areas, community events and social gatherings are often more accessible, allowing women to engage with local residents and integrate into the social fabric of their new home.
This sense of belonging can go a long way to reducing feelings of isolation and help newcomer women feel welcomed and accepted due to the close-knit communities.
Simultaneously, newcomer women often face challenges as they adjust to life in rural areas of the province. In addition to general changes in language and seasonal adjustments to various weather conditions, women sometimes experience significant challenges with a combination of socioeconomic and cultural barriers, making it difficult for them to fully integrate and thrive in these regions.
Through the Women’s Project, we aim to collect the details of these challenges to influence policy design and implementation in support of newcomer women.
PRUDE Inc. will acknowledge these newcomer women in New Brunswick on International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated on March 8. IWD originated in the early 20th century from labour movements advocating for women’s rights, equality, and better working conditions. Its purpose is to honour women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements while promoting gender equality and raising awareness about ongoing struggles for women’s rights worldwide.
Are you passionate about supporting newcomer women in rural New Brunswick? Are you interested in discovering more about how you can become involved? We welcome women leaders to join our steering committee, participate in events, and promote conversations supporting our program’s objectives.
If these resonate with you, please contact our Women’s Project Program Officer, Mary O’Leary, at mary@prudieinc.org or (506)607-7359.
To learn more about PRUDE Inc.’s Women’s Project in rural New Brunswick, please visit our website at https://www.prudeinc.org/womens-project/
