Backgrounder - Government of Canada invests in women’s organization in Newmarket

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 internal needs 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.

Newmarket Project

Today’s announcement in Newmarket, Ontario profiled one organization selected for federal funding through the Capacity-building Fund:

Women’s Support Network of York Region (WSN)

Project title: Increasing Our Capacity to Engage with Survivors in York Region
Funding amount: $230,680

WSN will continue its work eradicating sexual violence and promoting gender equality by building financial sustainability and applying a fairness lens, known as Gender-based Analysis Plus, to improve the organization’s governance. This means it can offer more effective tools and support to survivors to better address their unique circumstances.

Established in 1992, WSN is York Region’s only sexual violence crisis centre. WSN provides free and confidential services and adheres to a fundamental feminist, anti-racist and anti-oppressive framework. It respects and honours every individual’s journey towards healing and provides tools and support to cover all aspects of sexual violence.