Backgrounder - New federal funding will help improve women’s economic security in Cape Breton

Status of Women Canada – Women’s Program

One of the ways Status of Women Canada advances gender equality in Canada is by providing funding to eligible organizations through the Women’s Program. Projects are selected via calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process that allows the Women’s Program to accept applications on an ongoing basis.

The Women’s Program funds projects of 36 months or less that address systemic barriers to women’s equality in three priority areas: ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.

Calls for Proposals – Support for Women’s Economic Security and Addressing the Economic Security and Prosperity of Indigenous Women

On October 2, 2017, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, launched two calls for proposals. The first call, entitled Support for Women’s Economic Security, invited organizations to apply for funding for projects to address the economic security of women and help advance gender equality in Canada. More than 30 projects will receive a total of $10 million in funding through this call for proposals.

This call for proposals is divided into two themes; the first is Building Partnerships to Address Systemic Barriers, which provides funding to address major barriers that limit women’s economic security, including, but not limited to, the accessibility of childcare, the gender wage gap and pay inequity.

The second theme, Increasing Private Sector Leadership and Investments in Women, encourages organizations to partner with the private sector to find innovative solutions that will help advance women’s economic security.

The second call for proposals, entitled Addressing the Economic Security and Prosperity of Indigenous Women, invited organizations to foster collaboration between Indigenous women, Indigenous organizations, their communities, and the private sector to support the economic security and prosperity of Indigenous women across Canada. The results of this call for proposals will be announced at a later date.

Funded Project

The Cape Breton Partnership works with business and communities across Cape Breton to improve economic prosperity through three core programs that connect employment seekers, young graduates and immigrants with employment opportunities.

“Addressing the Barriers to Successful Entrepreneurship for Women in Cape Breton” is a 36-month project that aims to help women entrepreneurs by increasing their use of support services and participation in programs and networks. The project’s main activities include creating a community of practice for women entrepreneurs, analyzing the existing support using a gender lens, conducting consultations and focus groups, developing a gender equity action plan, knowledge sharing activities, and adapting resources for business providers.