Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. (EST) | Virtual
Overview
Join the Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE) for an important national webinar exploring the connection between economic abuse, housing insecurity, and survivor empowerment. As part of Help Us Rise, CCFWE’s annual campaign to end economic abuse, this session will spotlight how housing access and stability are vital to breaking the cycle of abuse and rebuilding financial independence.
Through research insights and survivor-centred perspectives, this discussion will highlight how economic empowerment and safe housing go hand in hand not only improving individual outcomes but strengthening communities and the broader economy.
Why It Matters
Economic abuse remains one of the most pervasive yet underrecognized forms of domestic violence. It limits survivors’ access to income, credit, and housing, often forcing them to remain in abusive relationships. CCFWE’s national research study revealed that 79% of service providers believe survivors stay in abusive situations due to a lack of safe and affordable housing options.
Without stable housing, many survivors face damaged credit, coerced debt, and ongoing financial instability. These challenges are especially acute for equity-deserving populations, reinforcing systemic barriers and cycles of dependence.
This webinar will make the case that equitable housing is not only a social imperative, it’s an economic one. When survivors are financially secure, our communities and national economy grow stronger.
Ivy Farquhar-McDonnell, Director, Communications and Engagement, Circle Community LandTrust
Ivy is a passionate community-builder and lover of cities, currently working in the affordable housing space. As Director of Communications and Tenant Engagement at Circle Community LandTrust, Ivy leads Circle’s frontline tenancy services and engagement strategy, as well as communications for the organization. Ivy came to Circle from a background in community organizing in her home neighbourhood of Parkdale, where she is an active member of the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust, and a number of community-based mutual aid initiatives. Ivy is committed to ensuring that Circle’s 600+ tenant households have a meaningful voice in the organization, and that Circle fosters wellbeing, opportunity, and community for its tenants.
Denna Berg, Director of Policy, CCFWE
With over a decade of experience shaping bold and forward-thinking public policy, Denna Berg brings deep expertise in tackling complex issues such as climate change, decriminalization, and economic justice.
At CCFWE, Denna leads national policy efforts to strengthen survivor-centered systems and advance legislative change on economic abuse and housing security across Canada.
Meseret Haileysus, Founder and Executive Director, CCFWE
Meseret Haileyesus, Founder and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE), is recognized nationally and internationally for her leadership in addressing economic abuse and advancing women’s financial security.
A 2025 recipient of the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case, she has brought economic abuse to the forefront of the national conversation and helped drive major policy changes across the country.
Under her leadership, CCFWE leads the Help Us Rise campaign, mobilizing financial institutions, governments, and community organizations to build a safer, fairer, and more inclusive Canada.
