YWCA Canada’s Rights Guide for Girls, Young Women & Gender Nonconforming Youth is an educational resource created to help young people across Canada understand their rights, responsibilities, and legal protections. Based in Toronto, Ontario, this guide is part of YWCA Canada’s long-standing commitment to safety, equality, and empowerment for girls and young women.
At YWCA Canada, keeping girls and young women safe is a core priority. We recognize that knowledge is one of the most powerful tools for protection and confidence. Understanding your rights helps you make informed decisions, recognize unsafe situations, and advocate for yourself at school, at home, online, and in the community. This guide was developed to make legal information accessible, clear, and relevant to everyday life.
The Rights Guide is designed for girls, young women, and gender nonconforming youth who are navigating important questions about age, consent, school rules, personal safety, and interactions with authority figures. Topics such as truency, cell phone use in schools, age requirements, and age restrictions are explained in a way that supports learning without intimidation or judgment.
A key focus of the guide is helping youth understand legal age concepts in Canada. This includes information about the age of consent, the legal age of an adult in Canada, what age is considered a minor, and how the age of majority differs across provinces such as Ontario and Nova Scotia. By breaking down these topics, the guide helps young people understand how the law applies to them at different stages of life.
The guide also addresses issues related to personal rights and safety, including how to recognize and respond to law enforcement harassment and how to understand your responsibilities when interacting with schools or community authorities. Knowing your rights does not mean avoiding responsibility; it means understanding boundaries, protections, and lawful expectations.
YWCA Canada believes that youth deserve accurate information presented in a supportive and empowering way. This Rights Guide encourages self-advocacy, helping young people feel confident asking questions, seeking help, and standing up for themselves respectfully and safely.
Inclusivity is central to this work. The guide is intentionally designed to support not only girls and young women, but also gender nonconforming youth who may face unique challenges when navigating legal systems, schools, and public spaces. Everyone deserves access to information that helps them feel safe and respected.
By learning about legal age, consent, school rules, and personal rights, young people are better prepared to make informed choices and protect their wellbeing. The YWCA Rights Guide is not about fear—it is about confidence, clarity, and empowerment.
YWCA Canada remains committed to supporting youth through education, advocacy, and community engagement. This Rights Guide is one part of a broader mission to help young people grow into strong, informed, and confident individuals who can advocate for themselves and others.
To learn more or explore the full guide, visit our website:
Website: https://ywcarightsguide.ca/
Email: [email protected]
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada