HALIFAX - The Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), today announced support to the Young Women's Christian Association of Halifax (YWCA Halifax) for a project to foster leadership skills among African Nova Scotian youth. Minister of State Guergis also acknowledged the hard work and dedication of YWCA Halifax volunteers by providing certificates of appreciation.
The Girls Changing the World Youth Leadership Pilot Project aims to increase resiliency and community engagement among a group of at-risk African Nova Scotian youth in Halifax. The project will use internationally recognized best practices on youth leadership and peer education.
"Leadership, opportunity and representation from all sectors are the keys to our future success," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway and MP for Central Nova. "People of African descent have deep roots in Nova Scotia and have contributed significantly to our current prosperity. By enhancing leadership capacity among at-risk young women, we are helping to ensure the continued contribution of African Nova Scotians."
"I am proud of our Government's support for this exciting new project, which will link the experiences of African Nova Scotian youth to those of young women in Africa," said Minister of State Guergis. "Girls Changing the World will empower a group of at-risk young women to identify how they want to change the world, themselves and their community."
"We are delighted to have the support of the Government of Canada in this innovative new project," said Ms. Mary Ann Campbell, President of the Board, YWCA Halifax. "By incorporating international perspectives in program modules, we hope to stimulate a deeper dialogue with, and among, African Nova Scotian youth on such issues as sexual violence and a healthy lifestyle, and in the process, to effect positive, youth-led change."
To carry out this project, theYWCA Halifax will receive $200,000 over 36 months from the Women's Partnership Fund of the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada. The Women's Partnership Fund supports collaborative projects that leverage matching funds from other partners, including other levels of government.
Other partners in the Girls Changing the World Youth Leadership Pilot Project include Canadian Crossroads International.
Status of Women Canada is a federal government agency working to promote equality for women and their participation in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
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For more information, please contact:
Sherine Mansour
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Status of Women)
819-956-4000
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839
