Andrea Gunraj, Vice President of Public Engagement at the Canadian Women’s Foundation, shares insights on AwarePod, the world’s first earbud designed for women. The single-earbud concept highlights the safety precautions women and gender-diverse people take daily, sparking dialogue on gender-based violence. Learn how this powerful awareness tool is driving meaningful change in Canada. —Noa Nichol
What inspired the creation of AwarePod, and why did the Canadian Women’s Foundation decide to highlight safety concerns through this unique, one-earbud design?
Gender-based violence has been called an epidemic by advocates, survivors, and governments, especially as global rates have risen in recent years. In Canada, 44% of women experience some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetimes, and every 48 hours a woman or girl is killed by violence. Rates are even higher for Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. While intimate partner violence is being unveiled and challenged, the abuse that happens in plain sight—harassment, assault, and targeting in public spaces—often remains under-addressed. So too does the gendered fear and vigilance that stems from this harm. AwarePod is inspired by the desire to challenge these realities.
The data from your recent poll sheds light on the gendered experience of public safety in Canada. What were the most surprising or concerning findings for you, and how do you hope AwarePod brings attention to these issues?
That only 22% of women and gender-diverse people feel safe in their community at night compared to 51% of men is a stark reminder of the fear many face daily. Fear of gender-based violence like sexual assault is a significant issue where women live, work, and play, and it’s entirely reasonable given the high rates of abuse in Canada. AwarePod highlights the extra precautions women and gender-diverse people feel they must take to be safer in public spaces and aims to make clear that no one should need such measures. Instead, we should be addressing the root causes of violence to prevent it altogether.
Why do you think it’s essential to emphasize that AwarePod is a symbolic product rather than an actual market solution? How does this approach help drive the conversation around safety and gender-based violence?
There are many products on the market designed to make women feel safer, but they often shift the responsibility for safety onto women themselves. Perpetrators of gender-based violence are rarely the focus of prevention messages, which can perpetuate victim-blaming by suggesting women and gender-diverse people are responsible for avoiding violence. AwarePod is a conversation starter, not a real solution. It highlights how one-sided it is to expect those at risk to remain vigilant while ignoring the root causes of violence. Ending violence requires investing in community-based solutions, not gadgets or tools.
In the context of public safety, what specific challenges do women and gender-diverse people face that are often misunderstood or overlooked by the broader public?
It’s common to assume that women, girls, and gender-diverse people naturally have to be more careful in public spaces. Phrases like “text me when you get home” or “don’t go out alone at night” are normalized, but few question why this is or challenge the idea that it’s just a part of life. While many people agree that gender-based violence is wrong, there’s a lack of understanding about how to prevent it. AwarePod gets people thinking about the real solutions—supporting organizations that aid survivors, addressing abusive behaviours, and advocating for systemic change to end vulnerability to abuse.
The AwarePod launch aligns with your mission to address gender-based violence across Canada. Could you share more about the Foundation’s other initiatives aimed at reducing gender-based violence and how people can get involved?
We fund programs in every province and territory that work to prevent and end gender-based violence while helping survivors rebuild their lives. We advocate for policy changes to make women, girls, and gender-diverse people safer, and we rely on public support to make these initiatives possible. If you care about ending gender-based violence, visit canadianwomen.org to donate and join our community of over 80,000 supporters working toward meaningful change.
With regional data indicating heightened safety concerns in areas like British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, how can local communities and governments better support public safety for women and gender-diverse people?
Governments must significantly scale up funding for community-based programs addressing gender-based violence. While billions are invested in policing and prosecution, many survivors don’t feel safe enough to report abuse. Crisis lines, shelters, school and community prevention programs, and workplace interventions need more resources to address this gap effectively. Communities must hold decision-makers accountable for prioritizing solutions that work.
What role do you see the AwarePod and similar awareness campaigns playing in changing societal norms around safety and respect in public spaces? How can individuals help foster this cultural shift?
These campaigns challenge the status quo—women, girls, and gender-diverse people shouldn’t have to sacrifice their quality of life to feel safe. Practices like wearing one earbud, avoiding dark areas, or pretending to talk on the phone are coping mechanisms rooted in fear of being targeted. By making these behaviours visible, AwarePod invites reflection and action. Visit awarepod.com to take action—share your story, sign up, and donate. Together, we can create a safer future for everyone.
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