Backgrounder - Government of Canada announces investment in women’s organizations in St. John’s 

Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Women’s Program

One of the ways Women and Gender Equality 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 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.

St. John’s Projects

Today’s announcement profiled two projects in St. John’s selected for federal funding through the Capacity-building Fund:

Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (THANL)

Project title: Setting the Standard

Funding amount: $440,120

THANL will develop a training system for all shelter staff, management, and board members on inclusion, cultural sensitivity, mental illness, addiction, trauma, and best practices. By making the training universal, its staff will be better able to provide well-informed and beneficial services to the community.   

Established in 1987 as the Provincial Association Against Family Violence, THANL provides provincially funded shelters across Newfoundland and Labrador with guidance, training, and program development opportunities. It is committed to supporting women and children in establishing a sense of safety, security, and freedom within their communities and homes.

YWCA St. John’s

Project title: Capacity Building at YWCA St. John’s: An Organizational Viability Project Contributing to the National Women’s Movement

Funding amount: $241,260

The YWCA St. John’s will work with its partners to create a community where all girls and women are safe, supported and empowered. It will provide quality training for its staff and board on best practices and improve its overall service to the community. 

The YWCA has been an integral part of the St. John’s community since 1925. It works to provide women and girls with empowering programs and services on a local basis, while also contributing to bettering the status of women on national and international levels in combination with YWCA Canada and World YWCA.