April 30, 2019 - North Bay, Ontario - Department for Women and Gender Equality
Women's organizations provide vital community services that allow women and girls to be financially secure, free from violence, and empowered. 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 their ability to do this important work is the most effective way to advance gender equality.
That's why today, Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing‒Timiskaming, 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 close to $240,000 in Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing for their project Amelia Rising -- Meeting Increasing Demand.
Amelia Rising is one of the more than 250 women's organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women across Canada 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.
"With our historic investment, we recognize the women and women's organizations breaking through barriers, and express our gratitude to those who have been doing this work for decades on little more than a shoestring budget. The women's movement across Canada has been asking for a reliable, predictable and accessible source of funds to ensure the sustainability of their work. With stable and flexible funding, we are helping Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing scale up so they can grow and thrive, 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
"Our government is committed to giving more support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. I am proud the Government of Canada, through the Department for Women and Gender Equity, is supporting Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing. This funding will ensure that Amelia Rising can continue its important work of offering women and children in our community programs and services in a safe space, and continue to raise awareness and advocate for social change."
Anthony Rota, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming
"We thank the Government of Canada for this generous investment in Amelia Rising. These funds will allow us to remain focused on providing creative and innovative programming to survivors of sexual violence in Nipissing so that we can break down the barriers they face in accessing services that are unique to their needs. This is a big win for our community."
Brigitte Lebel, Executive Director
Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing
Quick facts
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Some populations are more likely to experience violence and may face unique barriers and challenges that put them at particular risk (Statistics Canada, 2015).
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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.
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The conference is part of a global movement to promote gender equality worldwide that gives 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 6,000 individuals-world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, youth and journalists-from more than 160 countries, with an additional 100,000 people joining virtually.
