Alberta Council Of Women's Shelters - Edmonton

Our Values

Women’s Equality and Empowerment
Imbalance in power relations excludes women from decision-making across all aspects of our society. With a focus on women’s strengths we promote their rights, needs, and the value of their lived experience. We seek to create women-centred service provision which promotes equality, improves outcomes for women (and their families), reduces long-term costs and builds stronger communities.

Inclusivity
We recognize and pro-actively affirm the dignity of all, regardless of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, family status, source of income, and sexual orientation. We value the welcoming spaces created by ACWS members so those fleeing violence may heal from their trauma without attempts by abusers, and others, to impose their values, customs or beliefs.

Gender-based violence is an issue faced by people all over the world. The prevalence of gender-based violence worldwide is largely due to systemic gender inequality that disempowers those who identify as women, girls, and other gender minorities, stifles their voices so that their stories are not heard, dismisses, or takes away their dignity, safety, and human rights, or, even worse, depicts violence against them as “normal.”

ACWS acknowledges that current structures often fail to account for the many expressions of gender, and we affirm the importance and the need for resources and supports for gender-diverse people who have experienced violence, as well as safe spaces for them to share and discuss their experiences. Scarcity of resources and aging shelter stock in our sector means that we may not, at this point in time, be able to serve all genders well. Given that women are disproportionately harmed by gender-based violence, our work at ACWS focuses on those individuals who identify as women, but we stand as allies with survivors of all gender identities and sexual orientations in our pursuit of a world free from violence and abuse.

Collaboration
By working together, in concert with and in service of our members, to achieve our vision we increase understanding and effectiveness, open access to resources, and maximize the impact of our voice in changing society.

Stewardship
We are stewards of the many resources gifted to us by women, of past, present and future generations. We commit to appropriate management of the financial resources and sustainability of ACWS and the support of our members while also caring for the earth by restoring and protecting it.