Gender-based Violence Program
Gender-based violence (GBV) costs women and 2SLGBTQI+ people their lives. It is a preventable and significant barrier to gender equality. The Gender-based Violence Program provides supports and tools to better meet the diverse needs of populations across Canada who have experienced various forms of GBV. Initiatives help communities, at-risk or underserved populations, and people who are facing barriers accessing the support they need.
Objective of the Gender-based Violence Program
The Gender-based Violence Program aims to:
- Address gaps in supports for specific populations who have experienced GBV
- End violence against women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people
- Prevent GBV for at-risk populations
WAGE supports organizations working in the GBV sector helps build their capacity to effectively prevent and address GBV, and implement successful projects within the communities they serve.
The GBV Program funds projects that foster safety, healing, and wellbeing for victims and survivors, while also supporting efforts to prevent violence before it occurs. Through investments in organizations and service providers across Canada, the Program helps develop and implement promising practices and other initiatives that improve supports and strengthen prevention efforts. It also focuses on the root causes of GBV and engages men and boys as part of the solution to prevent and address GBV.
Eligible organizations
Funding for projects is time-limited, and does not provide support for ongoing activities, such as an organization's operations and administration. As available funds are limited, not all qualified applicants may receive funding.
The GBV Program funds local, regional, and national initiatives through grants and contributions. Eligible organizations and activities are determined by the general eligibility requirements for the Gender-based Violence Program and associated funding opportunities.
Results
The GBV Program makes a real difference in the lives of Canadians by strengthening the GBV sector, including shelters, transition housing, and those that provide counselling services. GBV Program investments address gaps in supports, prevention work and addressing human trafficking through actions like developing and testing of promising practices; promoting the uptake of models that work; and research and data collection. Specific at-risk and underserved populations supported by the program include Indigenous women and their communities, women living with a disability, immigrant and refugee women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and Black and racialized women.
Since the Department for Women and Gender Equality was created in 2018, the GBV Program has delivered the following achievements:
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The GBV Program has supported 190 projects across Canada. Those projects contributed to preventing and addressing various forms of GBV, such as intimate partner violence, human trafficking, technology-facilitated GBV, etc.
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More than 2,200 tools and resources were developed, including guides, articles and reports. These resources enabled organizations working in the GBV sector to provide victims and survivors of GBV, and at-risk populations, with hands-on supports.
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Projects reached more than 90,000 women, girls, and gender-diverse people, which helped empower victims and survivors of GBV to start their healing journey and regain control of their lives.
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More than 1,400 partnerships within and between sectors were established or strengthened, to collaborate, share knowledge and resources, and coordinate actions that contribute to safer communities.
Human impact stories
Discover stories, insights, and ideas that help prevent and address GBV here in Canada.
Services and information
How you can empower youth to help prevent gender-based violence in sports
Equip those around you with the confidence to know when and how to safely intervene.
How to respond when a young athlete says they’ve experienced gender-based violence online
Practical tips for support, guidance, and promoting online safety.
3 things every coach/volunteer should know about gender-based violence
And how to talk to young athletes about it!
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