Creating Spaces Impact

by Oxfam Canada | September 26, 2019

Education Resource, Factsheet, Feminist MEAL

Background media: Pollisree officials pose as 'empowered women' in Rangpur, Bangladesh as part of Oxfam Canada's Creating Spaces project. Creating Spaces takes action to reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG), including child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) in 6 countries - Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, and Nepal - by helping change the attitudes, behaviours, and systems that perpetuate violence against women and girls. Photo: Abir Abdullah/Oxfam

Photo: Abir Abdullah/Oxfam

Education Resource, Factsheet, Feminist MEAL

Creating Spaces Impact

by Oxfam Canada | September 26, 2019

Background media: Three Bangladeshi women wearing colourful clothing stare directly at the camera while raising their left arm in an "I can do this" gesture.

Photo: Abir Abdullah/Oxfam

Creating Spaces ended in 2021.

It was an important project in our work to end violence against women and girls, and child and early forced marriage.

While many countries have established policies and programs to end violence, deeply entrenched values, attitudes and practices slow progress towards violence-free communities. Gender stereotypes still contribute to violence against women and girls. Countries in South and East Asia have some of the highest rates of violence against women in the world.

Through Creating Spaces, Oxfam Canada and partners prevented violence by changing local norms and laws, responded to violence by providing women and girl survivors with support, and improved understanding of violence by strengthening collective efforts and learning across the region.

See our resources section to learn more about the project's progress and impact. They're also available in accessible formats. Please reach out to us at to make a request.

This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada, and the generous Canadian public.