OTTAWA - Women of diverse backgrounds from across the country will now have the tools they need to build a brighter future for themselves as a result of seven projects that are being supported by the Government of Canada.
An announcement was made today by the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, who provided details on the federal support being provided to five national and two regional organizations conducting projects that will benefit women across Canada.
Altogether, the following seven projects will receive a total of $1.5 million in funding:
- $642, 658 to Shelternet for Abused Women for a project entitled Online Counselling for Abused Women.
- $299,750 to the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies for a project entitled Community Development on Human Rights in Action.
- $155,428 to Womanspace Resource Centre for a project entitled Financial Services for Women: Your Money and Your Life.
- $152, 374 to the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly for the project entitled Bridging Aging and Domestic Abuse.
- $109,500 to Le Phénix: Service d'intégration sociale for a project entitled L'inclusion…ça s'adapte.
- $86,677 to YWCA Vancouver for a project entitled Peer Mentorship and Leadership Development Pilot Project.
- $60,625 to Equal Voice for a project entitled Getting to the Gate: National Aboriginal Module.
These projects 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.
"Community empowerment of women is at the very heart of the Women's Community Fund, and each one of these seven initiatives reflects that," said Minister Verner. "These projects will enrich the lives of countless women in communities across Canada."
"These funds will enable us to roll out a new 'e-service' that facilitates interactive communication between abused women and their counsellor even after they have left the shelter," said Bridget Goldsmith, President of Shelternet for Abused Women. "The Online Counselling for Abused Women initiative is a groundbreaking technology project to increase access to safe and secure online counselling for abused women across Canada."
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.
As announced in Budget 2008, the Government of Canada will develop an Action Plan to advance equality for women by improving their economic and social conditions, and their participation in democratic life.
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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For more information, please contact:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
819-997-7788
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839
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