In 2021, the BC Society of Transition Houses, Technology Safety Project published “Connectivity, Access and the Impact on BC’s Rural, Remote, and Indigenous Women Experiencing Violence.” The paper recommends policy work that prioritizes connectivity as a safety necessity for anti-violence and emergency preparedness.
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Government of Canada
For government, RRI communities, private sector, phone and internet providers
Women and Girls in Rural, Remote, and Indigenous (RRI) communities face added barriers to meaningful connectivity due to their rurality.
Recommendation 4: ISPs could consider partnering with RRIs communities to develop alternatives so that communities have increased choices. This could work in conjunction with increased affordable internet and phone plans, as well as related equity and accessibility reviews (Organizations such as Pathways to Technology and The First Nations Technology Council are working in this field).-
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For private sector, government, NGOs, BCSTH
Unique contexts specific to RRI communities result in a different significance of meaningful connectivity, as well as distinct challenges, for women in these communities.
Recommendation 15: Policy work moving forward should prioritize connectivity as a safety necessity for anti-violence work and emergency preparedness. This involves actions such as:- Ensuring that emergency alerts can reach all Canadians, especially those in areas that are increasingly impacted by climate change-aggravated disasters (infrastructure issues)
- Organizing collaborative emergency planning with participation from a variety of sectors including, for instance, the private sector – particularly companies with access to connectivity technology and infrastructure – and anti-violence organizations. As pointed out by the report, this planning should be informed by and reflect Indigenous land knowledge and practices.
- Researching and investing in sustainable and ecologically wise connectivity infrastructure that is resilient to climate change to ensure the maximum possible protection of community members’ wellbeing, especially those most vulnerable to post-crisis violence.
- Researching and developing a plan for women who need to call emergency services for experiences of violence but have no phone or internet as a result of the disaster
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For BCSTH, anti-violence organizations, government
Unique contexts specific to RRI communities result in a different significance of meaningful connectivity, as well as distinct challenges, for women in these communities.
Recommendation 16: Incorporate disaster and emergency planning in anti-violence programs’ policies.-
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