WUNRN
March 4, 2008
The
Government of Canada Supports Women's Groups Across Canada
OTTAWA - Women's
organizations across Canada will be able to improve the safety of at-risk
Aboriginal women, immigrant and visible minority women, senior women, and women
with disabilities thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
Together,
women from across Canada will work with municipal partners and local women's organizations
to assess how safe their communities are for the targeted women's groups.
The
announcement was made today by the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of
Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages.
Funding worth $1,934,732 will be invested in the following seven national
women's organizations for projects which will empower women across Canada:
- $528,800
to the Women in Cities International / Femmes et villes international,
for a project entitled Creating Safer Communities for Marginalized
Women and Everyone;
- $479,798
to the Native Women's Association of Canada for a project
entitled Violence Prevention Toolkit - Phase II;
- $358,600
to National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women
for a project entitled Engaging Immigrant and Visible Minority Women in
Leadership Roles in Canadian Society;
- $283,594
to the POWER Camp National / Filles d'Action for a project entitled
Skills and Support: Mentorship/Training for Young Women in Marginalized
Communities Across Canada;
- $170,000
to First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada for a
project entitled Caring Across the Boundaries: The Circle of
Collaboration;
- $88,550
to National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence for a project
entitled Financial Skills for Aboriginal Women Starting Over;
and
- $25,390
to the Canadian Council for Refugees for a project entitled
Pathways to Gender Justice - Second Phase.
"These
seven initiatives fulfill the goals of the Women's Community Fund - working
toward the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic
life of this country, starting at the grass roots level and reaching across
communities, regions and the country," said Minister Verner.
"These projects will touch the lives of women who are often marginalized,
and provide them with real opportunities and positive, life-changing
results."
"Violence
against women in cities is an ongoing concern," said Ms. Caroline
Andrew, President of Women in Cities International / Femmes et villes
international, "Our project will tackle this issue in all its forms - from
sexual assault to abductions and criminal harassment, as well as fear of crime
- on a large scale, ultimately benefiting hundreds of thousands of women and
girls."
The projects
being funded were approved under the Women's Community Fund of the Women's
Program of Status of Women Canada. This Fund supports eligible organizations in
carrying out projects at the local, regional and national level. To qualify,
the initiatives must work toward the equality and full participation of women
in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
The Minister
made the announcement at an Encounters with Canada gathering of young
people. Encounters with Canada is the country's largest youth forum,
bringing together young Canadians from different backgrounds to discover Canada
through each other and to learn about Canadian institutions.
This funding
is being announced, in part, to celebrate International Women's Week,
March 2 to 8, with its highlight, March 8, International Women's Day.
This year's theme, Strong Women, Strong World, refers not only to the
empowerment of women but also to the importance of women as caregivers,
educators, policymakers, activists, leaders, international peacemakers and
stewards of the world's environment.
Status of Women Canada is a federal
government agency working to promote the full participation of women in the
economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
For
information on Status of Women Canada, visit http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/
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