(2004-16) News Release April 22, 2004 Winnipeg -- Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will contribute $ 3 million to the University of Manitoba for its social work intervention program for rural women in China. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister for International Cooperation, while visiting the university. The funding will be delivered over six years. " Change in China brings challenges as well as opportunities, particularly for rural women, " said Minister Carroll. " The University of Manitoba's program is important because it supports the social services network which is assisting rural women with the changing economic and social realities. Canadians have real strengths in this field, and I'm proud that the Government of Canada is supporting this sharing of expertise. " Recent economic reforms have brought about massive social change resulting in serious problems for many rural women. In some areas, women now make up almost 80 per cent of the agricultural labour force, as most men migrate to the cities to seek employment. Women are left not only to farm the land, but also to care for their families and are, in effect, heads of households. However, due to traditional values and ineffective application of laws, their absent husbands are still viewed as the authorities in any official business affecting their families, leaving the women with few decision-making rights or protections. The China Women's Federation will also play a part in the implementation of this joint initiative. The Federation has been providing significant social services to women in many parts of rural China, under the challenging circumstances of limited support and resources. This initiative will focus on rural social work and will build upon the experience and practical knowledge that the federation has already gained in working closely with these women. The project will be implemented in three regions, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan and rural Beijing, and will be concentrated in 278 communities where the local governments are supportive of the China Women's Federation and its work. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. - 30 - Information: Andrew Graham Director of Communications Office of the Minister for International Cooperation Telephone: (819) 953-6238 Media Relations Office Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Telephone: (819) 953-6534 E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca Chris Rutkowski Media Relations Coordinator University of Manitoba Telephone: (204) 474-9514
