Women’s organizations provide vital services in our communities, supporting women and girls to be financially secure, free from violence, and able to fully participate in all aspects of our economy and society.

“In making this historic investment, we recognize the women and women’s organizations that have long been breaking through barriers, and we express our gratitude to them for what has often been decades of important work, on little more than a shoestring budget. For too long, the Canadian women’s movement has been asking for a reliable, predictable and accessible source of funds to ensure the sustainability of their work—our government listened. I am proud that now, with stable and flexible funding, we are helping organizations like the Canadian Association for Girls in Science to grow and endure, because we know that investing in women’s organizations is the most effective way to advance gender equality. By supporting a movement that has achieved amazing results, we are growing the middle-class, strengthening families and communities, and creating lasting change that benefits everyone.”

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

“Supporting innovative projects from grassroots organizations like the Canadian Association for Girls in Science is a top priority for the Government of Canada. Together, we are supporting young girls nurture and explore their interest in STEM. Through innovative projects such as this, we are laying the foundation for a safer and more equitable future for women and girls in Canada.”

Gagan Sikand
Member of Parliament for Mississauga – Streetsville

“When I started CAGIS back in 1992, I never dreamed that today could be possible. This welcome investment in our grassroots organization will go a long way toward supporting girls’ interests in STEM and helping them achieve their goals. Giving girls role models and the opportunity to experience the lab and field environment for themselves is a key support for their future success, and key to closing the gender gap in Canadian STEM.”

Larissa Vingilis-Jaremko, Founder and President
Canadian Association for Girls In Science (CAGIS)

• Budget 2018 announced $100 million over five years to support a viable and sustainable women’s movement across Canada. Adding to this historic investment, Budget 2019 invests a further $160 million over five years, starting in 2019–20, in the Department for Women and Gender Equality’s Women’s Program. This means that by 2023–24, the Women’s Program, which supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance gender equality by addressing systemic barriers, will total $100 million annually. 

• This funding will enable women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women to tackle systemic barriers impeding women’s progress, while recognizing and addressing the diverse experiences of gender and inequality across the country.

Related products

• Backgrounder

Associated links

• Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS)
• Capacity-Building Fund Call for Proposals

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

Joshua Kirkey
Manager, Communications Services
Women and Gender Equality Canada
819-420-6884