Ottawa, ON – The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, accompanied by Susan Truppe, Member of Parliament (MP) for London North Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Status of Women, and Senator Salma Ataullahjan, today announced Government of Canada support for a project that will address violence against young women committed in the name of so-called ‘honour.’
"Our Government is committed to protecting women and girls from all forms of violence. We are holding offenders accountable for their actions," said Minister Leitch. "We are pleased to partner on this new project to help prevent acts of violence committed in the name of so-called ‘honour’."
"When any sector of our community is vulnerable to violence, it affects us all," said Parliamentary Secretary Truppe. "Through this project, the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre is reaching out to girls and young women who may be at risk, to engage them in identifying needs and strategies that will create a safer community for all."
"The Government of Canada is working hard to end violence against women and girls, in all its forms, and in all communities across Canada," said Senator Ataullahjan. "This project addresses the complex problem of violence committed in the name of so-called ‘honour’ by empowering young women to work together to find solutions."
The Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre is receiving $74,259 in Government of Canada funding for a project that will involve girls and young women who are at risk of violence in the name of so-called ‘honour.’ Young women aged 14-20 from various communities in the Ottawa area will participate in the project. In collaboration with the Centre’s project partners, participants will identify their needs and develop strategies to address this challenging issue.
"Through this project we are engaging young women, who might be at risk of experiencing violence framed as ‘honour,’ to share their knowledge and perspectives with community partners," said Ms. Sunny Marriner, Executive Director, Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre. "Together with them we have an opportunity to create informed community strategies that are empowering, inclusive, and effective."
The Government of Canada is supporting this project through Status of Women Canada’s call for proposals, Working Together: Engaging Communities to End Violence against Women and Girls. Through Status of Women Canada, federal support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 600 projects across Canada. Since that time, over $62 million dollars in funding has been approved specifically for projects to end violence against women and girls.
From November 25, 2013 until December 10, 2013, the Government of Canada is marking 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This includes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6, and International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2013.
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