Government of Canada supports organization to address violence against
immigrant women and girls

TORONTO, June 16 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, today announced Government of Canada support for a new project that will address violence against women, focusing on immigrant women and girls.

"Working together with community organizations to help end the scourge of gender-based violence is extremely important to our government. I am proud that our government has made the elimination of violence against women a priority," Minister Ambrose said. "Through the project we are funding today, the Redwood for Women and Children Fleeing Abuse, a women's shelter located here in Toronto, will provide improved services to immigrant women and their children, helping them to create lives free of abuse."

The Redwood for Women and Children Fleeing Abuse will receive $350,280 for Women on the Move, Phase 2. The Government of Canada allocated funding for this project through the Women's Community Fund of Status of Women Canada. To qualify, projects must work to promote equality and the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.

"This three-year project will build on a project that SWC funded previously. In Phase 1, the Redwood developed culturally sensitive training modules, with survivors of abuse, addressing the barriers immigrant women face in accessing domestic violence support services," said Ms. Anne-Marie Gardner, Executive Director of the Redwood for Women and Children Fleeing Abuse. "In Phase 2, survivors will play a leading role in developing a manual and video, producing a leadership training tool that newcomer service agencies and other women's shelters can use to support immigrant women in breaking through barriers and playing key roles in building healthy and safe communities."

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting worthwhile projects like the Redwood's Women on the Move, Phase 2, as they yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada, while strengthening our families, our communities and our country.

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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.

For further information: Chris Hilton, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, 613-697-7324; Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning, Status of Women Canada, 613-995-7839