Government of New Brunswick

October 17, 2017

Fredericton – The New Brunswick Women’s Council has launched its first-ever public engagement initiative, Resonate. The aim of Resonate is to connect the council directly with women in the province as well as the organizations that serve and advocate for them.

“The goal of Resonate is to hear first-hand from New Brunswick women and organizations about their experiences, priorities, challenges, and ideas,” said council co-chair Jewell Mitchell. “The council’s mandate is rooted in engaging with and representing women, therefore it is critical that we hear and be driven by their experiences.”

The council is using multiple approaches to gathering information and is working with organizations to promote the initiative in order to ensure the highest level of participation possible. Resonate will gather information in three ways:

  1. An online survey for women age 19 and older residing in New Brunswick.  A version of the survey that uses gender-inclusive language will be available for individuals belonging to gender minorities who do not identify as women (e.g. Two-Spirit, non-binary, and genderqueer individuals).
  2. Focus groups in various regions of the province targeting demographics of women who are less likely than others to be aware of or complete an online survey.
  3. A single-day event in November for organizations serving women or working to advance equality in New Brunswick. In addition to being asked about the issues they see affecting women, organizations will be asked to speak to the challenges they face in their work to address gender-based issues and advance equality.

The survey, focus groups, and event will ask open-ended and general questions that will ensure participants share their experiences according to their own priorities and in their own words. Demographic information will also be collected so that similarities and differences in experiences may be identified based on factors such as language, region, race, ethnicity, income, immigration status, ability, sexual orientation, etc.

“What emerges from this process will accurately and authentically reflect the priorities of the women of New Brunswick,” said council co-chair Jody Dallaire. “What we learn through Resonate will shape the priorities of the council moving forward.”

 In addition to informing the council’s work on gender-equality issues, the findings of Resonate will be submitted to government and made publicly available in early 2018.

“The findings of Resonate will be a resource for the council and for government as well as organizations and individuals engaged in direct service and advocacy work for women,” said the council’s executive director, Beth Lyons.

You can find the survey here: 

Survey for women: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ResonateNB

Survey for individuals belonging to gender minorities:  
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ResonateGM  

The New Brunswick Women’s Council is an independent advisory body on women’s equality issues.

10-17-17

Media contact:  Beth Lyons, Executive Director, New Brunswick Women’s Council, 506-462-5142