Roadblocks in the Labour Market
Research Study Conducted by Women in Civic Engagement Participants - February 2025
The Women in Civic Engagement (WICE) program empowers 16 newcomer and refugee women to actively participate in civic and political spheres. By fostering leadership and community involvement, the program equips participants with the skills and opportunities necessary to become advocates for change within their communities and beyond. Through tailored workshops, networking, and professional development, participants build portfolios that enhance both their personal and professional growth.
Do you know what challenges do newcomer and refugee women face in attaining leadership positions in government and the public sector?
WICE’s latest report, Roadblocks in the Labour Market, uncovers the barriers in different levels of leadership, highlighting systemic challenges and opportunities for change.
Read the full report to explore key insights and recommendations for creating a more inclusive and equitable workforce.
The Research Program aimed to equip WICE participants with foundational knowledge and skills in participatory action research (PAR), enabling them to apply research methodologies in real-world scenarios. Through this initiative, participants developed expertise in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to address community issues effectively.
Recognizing the value of research skills in professional and academic settings, the program introduced participants to key concepts typically taught in post-secondary and graduate programs. Past activities included learning about PAR, conducting problem tree analyses, and engaging in critical discussions. In its second year, the program featured four research-focused sessions which covered designing focus groups, analyzing data, and writing collaboratively. Participants honed their critical thinking skills, formulated research questions, conducted surveys, and worked effectively in group settings.
WICE Participants with Research Leads and Program Manager
The program culminated in participants writing and presenting their findings at the Equity in Action: Bridging Networks for Women in Civic Engagement Summit event, showcasing their research skills and contributions to the broader community. Importantly, all research was conducted by WICE participants, led by Dr. Alka Kumar, Research Fellow at Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Migration and Integration at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). This reinforced participants’ role as active contributors to knowledge creation and community impact.
