Canadian Senator Kim Pate has spent the last 35 years as an advocate for the marginalised and institutionalised — particularly Indigenous women and girls. Senator Pate talks to us about how she was surprised to discover significant differences in the treatment of women in the Canadian criminal justice system compared to men. A strong opponent of mandatory minimum sentencing, Senator Pate explains how it can exacerbate inequality rather than protect against it — and how women living in poverty are the ones more likely to suffer the consequences. She argues poverty has a direct relationship to a woman’s chances of ending up behind bars for longer periods. She also explains the story behind Canada’s Gladue reports, which are used in the sentencing of Indigenous people.