Building Safer Workplaces for Women: CAVIWO Opens the Conversation

On Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Canada Virtuous Women (CAVIWO) hosted a Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Workshop, bringing women together to recognize harmful workplace behaviours, share experiences and discuss the importance of speaking up. The session served as a pilot workshop to inform CAVIWO's planned three-year project focused on workplace harassment and violence prevention for women. Participants explored examples of harassment, including repeated humiliation, intimidation, unwanted sexual comments, racist remarks, deliberate exclusion and abuse of authority. The discussion also addressed physical aggression, threats and harmful behaviour from customers, clients and other third parties. Through personal stories, participants illustrated how mistreatment can affect women's confidence, dignity and working lives. Experiences included unfair performance assessments, workplace exclusion and discriminatory comments about accents or language ability. These accounts highlighted the value of keeping records, raising concerns and seeking support. The workshop also examined warning signs and workplace conditions that can increase vulnerability, including excessive workloads, poor communication, isolation, weak accountability and inadequate reporting mechanisms. Participants were encouraged to observe and note concerning patterns in their own workplaces. A central message emerged: women should feel supported in raising concerns about mistreatment. Participants acknowledged that fear and uncertainty can delay reporting, reinforcing the need for accessible reporting channels and responsive leadership. CAVIWO plans to continue the conversation through a future workshop addressing reporting procedures and ways to respond to harassment and violence. The date will be announced once confirmed. Through continued education and dialogue, CAVIWO seeks to empower women and promote safer, more respectful workplaces.

Event Highlights

• Pilot workshop for CAVIWO's planned three-year workplace harassment and violence prevention project
• Recognizing harmful behaviours: humiliation, intimidation, unwanted sexual comments, racist remarks, exclusion, abuse of authority
• Addressing physical aggression, threats and third-party harassment from customers and clients
• Personal stories on the impact of mistreatment on confidence, dignity and working lives
• Warning signs and conditions that increase vulnerability: excessive workloads, isolation, weak accountability, inadequate reporting
• The importance of keeping records, raising concerns early and seeking support
• Accessible reporting channels and responsive leadership as key enablers of safety
• A future workshop on reporting procedures and responses will be announced

Event Summary

Check out what CAVIWO is currently hosting and plan to join us live.