The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality announced funding of over $630,000 for two projects that advance gender equality in Saskatchewan.

“These projects, which address gender-based violence and the economic security of caregivers, deal with issues that are important to women and their families and will make a positive difference in Prince Albert and Saskatoon. We know that investing in and working with women’s organizations are the most effective ways to advance gender equality, and our government will continue to support the great work that they do across the country.”

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

“Women make up 80% of victims of police-reported intimate partner violence. We all need to work together to end this and other forms of gender-based violence in Canada, which persist to this day. That’s why the federal government has invested nearly $200 million in the first national strategy working to address this preventable form of violence—including supporting victims so that their healing process can begin.”

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

“We welcome the Government of Canada’s support to help our community address the very troubling issue of gender-based violence. We believe that the work we will be doing will dramatically advance the cause of gender equality by helping to remove one of its most serious impediments.” 

Louise Zurowski, Executive Director
Catholic Family Services of Prince Albert

“To increase support for the caregivers of today is to help set the course for a more prosperous tomorrow. We are immensely grateful for the opportunity provided by the Government of Canada’s funding commitment to continue to pursue our efforts in increasing and improving the economic security and working conditions of Francophone caregivers throughout Saskatchewan.”

Stéphanie Gaudet, President
Fédération provinciale des Fransaskoises

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

• Some populations are more likely to experience violence and may face unique barriers and challenges that put them at particular risk. According to the 2014 General Social Survey on Victimization, women are at a 20% higher risk of violent victimization than men when all other risk factors are taken into account. Indigenous women are more likely to experience violence and reported having been the victim of a violent crime at a rate 2.7 times higher than that reported by non-Indigenous women (219 incidents per 1,000 population versus 81 incidents per 1,000). Women living in the territories were also at a higher risk of violent victimization than women living in the provinces (182 versus 85 per 1,000 population).

• 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.

• McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by taking steps to advance equality for women—such as employing more women in technology and boosting women’s participation in the workforce—Canada could add $150 billion to its economy by 2026.

• Women continue to be disproportionately affected by economic insecurity. In 2015, women in Canada earned on average just 88 cents for every dollar earned by men. They are also much more likely to work on a part-time basis, making up 76% of all part-time workers, with 25% of women reporting childcare responsibilities as their reason for working part-time.

• Economic security is composed of basic social security, defined by access to basic needs such as health, education and housing.

Related products

• Backgrounder

Associated links

• Catholic Family Services of Prince Albert
• Fédération provinciale des Fransaskoises
• Department for Women and Gender Equality – Women’s Program
• Funding to Advance Gender Equality in Canada
• 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
Senior Communications Advisor
Department for Women and Gender Equality
819-420-8684

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