CAMPAIGN 31 WEEK 3

A Tale of Protection: Eva

Bill C-31 Would Block Kenyan Mothers Escape from Gender Violence
Last fall, Eva arrived from Nairobi with her two-year-old daughter and six months pregnant with her second child. She was a victim of gender violence in her country and lived in constant fear of her husbands family who perpetually threatened her and her daughter. Living in such unbearable circumstances weighed greatly on Eva until she decided to seek asylum in Canada. After borrowing some money, she began the long, perilous journey to Canada. Having never left her city, let alone her country, this trip abroad with a small child and a baby on the way was beyond stressful. She explains, I didnt know who to trust... the whole experience was new for me. Along the way Eva was advised to destroy her passport on the airplane as she wouldnt be able to make a refugee claim with a Kenyan passport. Unaware of the Canadian system, and her past experience with authority figures, Eva took the advice. Arriving at the airport and making a refugee claim without any documentation, Eva and her daughter were put into detention, in conditions that she described as unbearable. I have never felt so alone. I was so scared and upset, recalls Eva. I thought I was going to have my baby right there. The stress of being in a detention centre caused Evas health to quickly deteriorate. The detention centre staff, along with members of the Toronto Refugee Affairs Council (TRAC), decided they must move her, and they sought space at a local refugee house. At last, Evas life began to turn around. The refugee house offered her the right balance of autonomy and support through the refugee process. They helped her navigate the bureaucratic processes and allowed her to come and go freely, improving her overall well-being. As Eva puts it, It was in that house that I finally felt that I could survive this ordeal. Impact of Bill C-31 Such possibilities for survival are quickly vanishing under the current governments rule, since impending changes to refugee protection under the proposed Bill C-31 would prevent Eva from making her journey to safety. The new bill defines Eva and her daughter as irregular arrivals since they didnt possess proper identification. As an irregular arrival, Eva would receive mandatory detention for a minimum of six months. With Evas serious health problems arising after only a few days in detention, six months would greatly increase her suffering. Evas trauma would be compounded by the uncertain fate of her two-year-old daughter. Since Bill C-31 exempts minors from the clause related to mandatory detention, Evas daughter could be handed over to Childrens Aid Society. If Eva survived that stress and carried her baby to term, she would be forced to have her baby in detention, who in turn would also be handed over to Childrens Aid Society. The risks that women in Evas situation face are being fanned by the current governments agenda. As of July 1st Interim Federal Health restrictions will prevent pregnant women from accessing pre-natal care and hospitalization. Two months ago, Eva gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Despite her ordeal, Eva and her family are doing well in their new surroundings. As Eva explains, I named my first daughter Sunshine, because she was a blessing in my life. My son, I named Victor, because we were victorious in that situation. Together my children are exactly that a beautiful victory. These names reflect the Canadian values that are currently under attack. Who can say what Eva would have named her baby under the impending changes?