NEWS RELEASE
DEPARTMENT FOR WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY
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Women’s organizations provide vital community services that allow women and girls to be financially secure, free from violence and able to fully participate in all aspects of our economy and society.
Yet for far too long these organizations have been chronically underfunded, underestimated and undermined. The Government of Canada recognizes that women’s organizations are the lifeblood of the women’s movement, and that maintaining and growing the ability of these organizations to do this important work is the most effective way to advance gender equality.
That’s why today, Kyle Peterson, Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, announced that the Government of Canada is investing $230,680 in the Women’s Support Network of York Region, to 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.
“I am proud that our government is providing significant funding for the vital services that the Women’s Support Network of York Region provides in our community and throughout the area, by supporting women and girls to be financially secure, free from violence, and providing an opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of our economy and society," Peterson said.
"For far too long, women’s organizations have been chronically underfunded, underestimated and undermined. Women’s groups across the country have asked for a reliable, predictable and accessible source of funds to ensure the sustainability of their work. Our government has listened.”
“We have seen our community grow quickly since we opened our doors 27 years ago. Our need to upgrade and expand the services we provide also requires changes to our internal strategies. We are very thankful for the federal government’s funding commitment. It will allow us to revitalize and modernize to build a stronger agency in York Region that will provide more effective services and support to women and other survivors of sexual violence,” said Jacqueline Benn-John, executive director of the Women’s Support Network of York Region.
Women’s Support Network of York Region is one of the more than 250 women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women across Canada that is receiving funding under the Government of Canada’s Capacity-building Fund. This investment stems from the Budget 2018 announcement of $100 million over five years to support a viable and sustainable women’s movement across Canada.
Quick facts
- 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 proposes to invest 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 equality by addressing systemic barriers, will total $100 million a year.
- 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.
- Canada will host the Women Deliver 2019 Conference from June 3 to 6, 2019, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Held every three years, it is the world’s largest gathering on gender equality and the health, rights and well-being of women and girls.
- The conference is part of a global movement to promote gender equality worldwide and give voice to a broad spectrum of people, including Indigenous peoples, youth and those living in conflict and crisis settings. It will bring together more than 7,000 individuals—world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, youth and journalists—from more than 160 countries, with an additional 100,000 people joining virtually.
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