Backgrounder -  Government of Canada announces investment for women’s organizations in Western Newfoundland

Department for Women and Gender Equality – Women’s Program

One of the ways the Department for Women and Gender Equality 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 address emerging issues as they arise.                                                  

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

Capacity-building Call for Proposals

In October 2018, Minister Monsef announced a Call for Proposals under the Capacity-building Fund of the Women’s Program. Projects at the local, provincial, and national level were eligible for different amounts of funding, based on their specific need and reach.

On March 8, 2019, International Women’s Day, Minister Monsef announced that over 250 women’s organizations across the country would receive funding from the Capacity-building Fund.

The objective is to fund proposals that will increase the capacity of eligible women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women, whose initiatives contribute to a viable women’s movement in Canada that advances gender equality. Funding will increase the ability of organizations to grow, meet the increasing demands for their services, and continue to work collectively to address gender equality issues. The fund stems from the Budget 2018 announcement of $100 million over five years to help support a viable and sustainable women’s movement across Canada.

Today’s announcement in Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, profiled three of the more than 250 projects selected for federal funding through the Capacity-building Fund:

Bay St. George Status of Women Association Inc.

Project title: Becoming workplace leaders in the non-profit community
Funding amount: $19,246

This project will attract and retain high-quality employees and volunteers to be able to support more women in their community and develop stronger relationships with their sister organizations to expand their impact across the province. It will also implement modern human resource policies and procedures, and secure IT infrastructure upgrades along with new computer equipment.

The Bay St. George Status of Women Association serves the southwest region of the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. They are committed to improving the economic and social conditions of predominantly rural women in a large area of Southwestern Newfoundland that encompasses roughly 35,000 people. They strive to empower women and girls in their community by providing assistance to women in need of adequate housing, employment, educational opportunities, safety, and food security.

Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network

Project title: Building for a Stronger Future
Funding amount: $388,766

This project will grow and maintain their ability to support Indigenous women in the community and better understand the social and economic barriers they face, including violence and its impact on mental health. The organization will conduct needs assessments to gather data and inform strategic planning for short-, medium- and long-term goals to eliminate barriers to women.

The Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network strives to promote, enhance and encourage the health, social, educational, economic, cultural, and political, wellbeing of Aboriginal women within the Island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador.

People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre Inc.

Project title: Stepping Stones: The Path to Social Enterprise
Funding amount: $24,486

The project will assess the organization's readiness to provide social housing for women experiencing or at risk of violence. They will work to identify funding and collaboration opportunities with partners who have essential expertise in property management, financing, and supportive services for women. This project will culminate in an action plan to grow their services locally and provincially.

People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre Inc. is a non-profit and charity organization that delivers culturally appropriate services to Indigenous people – regardless of status – in urban communities. Each of their centres are as unique as the area they serve, allowing for programs and services that vary nationally based on need. Community cultural gatherings, ceremonies and teachings are integral to the Centre’s offerings.