At Justice for Girls—a Canadian non-profit organization and registered charity
dedicated to advocating fiercely for social, environmental, and Indigenous
justice—young women always have a seat at the table. Their mission is focused on eradicating violence, poverty, and racism from the lives of teenage girls. The Houssian Foundation has proudly partnered with this influential work since 2020.
In 2023, under the leadership of Zoë Craig-Sparrow, JFG continued to empower young women to take the lead. They expanded their community outreach and engagement efforts, developing new workshop series and curricula covering essential topics such as consent, healthy relationships, trafficking, exploitation, and online safety. The impact was significant—more than 600 girls across the province actively participated in JFG’s exceptional programming.
“As a small organization, achieving such widespread impact among so many girls and communities—especially those historically underserved—was a significant accomplishment. These relationships will continue to bear fruit as we deepen our engagement,”
Savannah Norman, Director of Communications
Central to Justice for Girls’ mission is the belief that women, particularly young women facing poverty, are the experts of their own lives. This principle underscores their commitment to justice by centering and prioritizing the lived experiences of women and their families in the community. From grassroots initiatives to national campaigns, JFG has swiftly made its mark. In just two years they have confronted gender-based violence in oil and gas work camps,
and challenged the RCMP, with much more on the horizon.
Last year, Justice for Girls launched a high-profile campaign in collaboration with researchers and families of missing women, urging the RCMP to preserve evidence and honor their commitment to investigating over 30 cold cases. This initiative culminated in a widely covered press conference in December 2023, garnering significant attention and support, including an open letter endorsed by over 40 organizations.
“Seeing our office filled with cameras and microphones underscored the gravity of our efforts for the families and in advancing women and girls’ equality and freedom from violence,” shared Norman. “JFG remains steadfast in demanding police accountability on this critical issue through various public forums, including courts, tribunals, and international human rights bodies.”