Ending gender-based violence is crucial if we are serious about giving everyone the same opportunities to join and grow Canada’s middle class. We all benefit when women, girls and people of all genders are safe and free to live their lives to the fullest.

“With this investment, we are funding women’s organizations like Ka Ni Kanichihk and West Region Child and Family Services which provide essential services to support survivors and their families. This funding envelope was developed in partnership with leaders from the women’s sector, whose advice continues to inform Canada’s first Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. Leaders asked for more dollars over a longer period of time to meet the ever growing demand for their services, a simplified application process, and resources to help provide supports for the most underserved and marginalized survivors of gender-based violence. Our government listened. Gender-based violence must not be tolerated, and we will continue to work with survivors, community partners, the private sector and other orders of government to end GBV in all of its forms.”

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality

“Indigenous women in Manitoba who are survivors of gender-based violence often experience barriers when it comes to accessing services. We are helping to make those services more readily available through funding for traditional healing projects. The funding available from the Department for Women and Gender Equality’s Gender-Based Violence Program provides an opportunity to help more organizations who support underserved populations, and this will make a difference in the lives of survivors in Manitoba.”

Terry Duguid
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality
Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South

“Ka Ni Kanichihk is a community based organization working towards improving the lives of women, children, men and families living in the core of Winnipeg. Their efforts to lift people up and ensure that women are strong, have services and a voice is important to long-term community health.”

Robert-Falcon Ouellette
Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre

“The social transformations required to end gender-based violence come from local leadership and community-based, culturally relevant, Indigenous-led services. That’s why Indigenous women who are survivors of gender-based violence appreciate the support and healing programs that we offer. The Government of Canada’s financial support will provide our organization the continuity we require to provide and improve our ability to guide our people back to balance and wellness.”

Dodie Jordaan, Executive Director
Ka Ni Kanichihk, Inc.

“We are always working to fill the need for services and resources for First Nation survivors of gender-based violence. These services are essential for the survivors and for the well-being of the community at large. This new funding support from the federal government will help us in our mission to incorporate traditional values into our work and achieve healthy, vibrant First Nation communities in a safe and nurturing environment.”

Stella Bone, Executive Director
West Region Child and Family Services 

• In June 2017, the Department for Women and Gender Equality (formerly Status of Women Canada) announced the first-ever federal Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence.

• To date, the Government of Canada has invested over $200 million across government to prevent gender-based violence, support survivors and their families, and create more responsive legal and justice systems.

• The Promising practices to support survivors and their families call for concepts is the largest amount of funding ever announced for programming to specifically support diverse groups of gender-based violence survivors and their families.

• Some populations are more likely to experience violence and may face unique barriers and challenges that put them at particular risk (Statistics Canada, 2015).

• Gender-based violence can have lifelong impacts on an individual's physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health. Additionally, the effects can be serious and costly. Annually, the economic impact of intimate partner violence and sexual assault is estimated to be over $12 billion.

Related products

• Backgrounder

Associated links

• Ka Ni Kanichihk, Inc.
• West Region Child and Family Services, Inc.
• Department for Women and Gender Equality's Gender-Based Violence Program
• It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence

Braeson Holland
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality
343-549-8825

Valérie Haché
Communications Officer
Department for Women and Gender Equality
819-420-8684

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