May 3, 2019 - Sherbrooke, Québec - 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 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 their ability to do this important work is the most effective way to advance gender equality.
That's why today, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Compton-Stanstead, 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 $450,000 in two women's organizations in Québec's Eastern Townships:
- ConcertAction Femmes Estrie (CAFE)
- Promotion des Estriennes pour initier une nouvelle équité sociale (P.É.P.I.N.E.S)
These organizations are two 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 these organizations in Québec's Eastern Townships 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
"Gender equality continues to be advanced in Canada thanks to women's organizations like ConcertAction Femmes Estrie et Pépines, which work day-by-day to improve the quality of life for women and to promote their full participation in leadership roles.
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau P.C., M.P.
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Member of Parliament for Compton-Stanstead
"We welcome today's investment from the Government of Canada. This financial support from the federal government will benefit our network in many ways. Most importantly, this will allow us to stay focused on defending the rights of women throughout the Eastern Townships by intervening in areas like health, education and social development."
Viviane Doré-Nadeau, Director
ConcertAction Femmes Estrie (CAFE)
"Since its creation, P.É.P.I.N.E.S has been carrying out projects that contribute to the participation of women at the highest levels of decision-making. We thank the Government of Canada for this critical investment in our organization and the women of the Eastern Townships so we can better carry-out our important work."
Solange Masson, Director General
Promotion des Estriennes pour initier une nouvelle équité sociale (P.É.P.I.N.E.S)
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.
-
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.
-
Some populations are more likely to experience violence and may face unique barriers and challenges that put them at particular risk (Statistics Canada, 2015).
-
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 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.
