WHITEHORSE, June 26, 2013 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, Mr. Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, today announced support for a new project that will engage men and boys in ending violence against women and girls.
"The Government of Canada is committed to ending violence against women and girls in communities across Canada," said Minister Ambrose. "I am pleased that we are supporting this new project to ensure the safety and security of girls and women in Whitehorse and throughout Yukon."
Les Essentielles is receiving $182,354 in funding for a 24-month bilingual project that will engage men and boys in Yukon in innovative responses to gender-based violence in their communities. In collaboration with key stakeholders such as Aboriginal friendship centres, the RCMP and youth-serving agencies, Les Essentielles will explore the issues underlying violence against women and girls; work with men and boys to strengthen their capacity to take on positive leadership roles; and pilot initiatives to educate and engage community members in ending gender-based violence.
"We are working with organizations across the country to end violence against women and girls and to offset its destructive impact on our communities,"said Mr. Leef. "This project will engage men and boys in male-dominated environments in Whitehorse, Watson Lake and Dawson City. Through the project, they will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to play a leadership role in ending violence against women."
"It is important to do all we can to prevent violence against women and girls," said Ketsia Houde, Executive Director of Les Essentielles. "We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on this project to engage men and boys in understanding and addressing the roots of gender-based violence in Yukon communities and to leading the way to a safer society for everyone."
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada while strengthening families, communities and the country. Through Status of Women Canada, the government's support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting over 600 projects.
SOURCE: Status of Women Canada
For media inquiries only:
Michael Bolkenius
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Works and
Government Services and
Minister for Status of Women
819 997-5421
For all other inquiries, contact:
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General
Communications and
Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
613 995-7839
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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca
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