Canada supports further efforts in Iraq and Syria to empower women and girls and to stabilize the region

The initiatives announced today by the Government of Canada amount to $26.7 million.

Note: For security reasons, some implementing partners cannot be publicly named.

Promoting the Economic Resilience of Syrian Women
Funding announced: $8.8 million
Time frame: 2018 to 2021

Canada’s support will aim to improve women’s livelihoods and strengthen the resilience of individuals and communities to withstand the Syrian crisis. It will provide Syrian women with economic opportunities and help build the capacity of women’s organizations in economic decision making. It will also provide training to male-dominated community institutions on inclusive gender, age and disability economic participation, and help build the capacity of NGOs to implement gender-equality projects.

Future Forward: The Iraqi Women’s Leadership Initiative
Implementing partner: Heartland Alliance International
Funding announced: $5.6 million
Time frame: 2018 to 2021

Canada will provide support to strengthen women’s ability to participate in all aspects of public life, including through mentorship and leadership training. It will also ensure women have the power and tools to realize their economic and political rights, including through legal services, support centres and information campaigns. Finally, Canada will strengthen public support for women’s rights through information campaigns to change norms.

Enhanced Governance for Improving the Well-Being of the Most Vulnerable Women and Girls in Iraq
Implementing partner: United Nations Population Fund
Funding announced: $5 million
Time frame: 2018 to 2022

Canada will help the Iraqi government strengthen its policies to enhance access and encourage greater use of integrated sexual and reproductive health services by women and girls. In addition, the project will enhance the government’s ability to deliver gender-based-violence response services and reproductive health services. It will also help mobilize communities to respect and promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, and reproductive health and rights through advocacy campaigns.

Support to the Syria Livelihoods Intervention Fund
Funding announced: $4.7 million
Time frame: 2018 to 2020

Canada will provide livelihood support so that women, men, households and communities can more effectively withstand the long-term effects of the Syrian crisis. It will increase the capacity of small-scale farmers and small businesses to participate in and expand local production and trade. It will also help improve the capacity of local stakeholders to identify, plan, commission and manage small infrastructure projects that will enable sustainable community-level economic activity.

IED Clearance in Critical Infrastructure Sites of Ninewah and Anbar
Implementing partner: U.S. Department of State
Funding announced: $1.7 million
Program: Peace and Stabilization Operations Program
Time frame: 2018 to 2019

Canada will provide support to the U.S. Department of State to clear improvised explosive devices and explosive remnants of war from critical infrastructure sites in liberated areas of Iraq, such as hospitals, schools, water treatment plants and industrial sites. This contribution will also help displaced persons to return safely to their homes.

Preparing for the Prosecution of Breaches of International Criminal and Humanitarian Law
Implementing partner: Commission for International Justice and Accountability
Funding announced: $1 million
Program: Peace and Stabilization Operations Program
Time frame: 2018 to 2019

Canada is providing further support to the Commission for International Justice and Accountability in order to investigate violations of international criminal and humanitarian law, including sexual violence, committed by Daesh, bringing Canada’s total contribution to $6 million. This support will also help to develop high-quality case files in accordance with international criminal investigative standards and strengthen international responses to atrocities committed by Daesh.