Government of Canada supports women in Atlantic Canada

New projects will prevent violence, enhance prosperity

HALIFAX, June 24, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, today announced more than $700,000 in Government of Canada funding for four new projects to support women in Atlantic Canada.

The announcement was made at the YWCA Halifax, which is receiving $174,873 for a project to help Nova Scotia communities address cyberviolence against young women and girls. Under the project, young women will identify how cyberviolence affects them and implement strategies to prevent it.

The Government of Canada is also providing funding to three additional organizations in Atlantic Canada. Two organizations will deliver projects that address sexual violence against women and girls, while the other will work to increase the representation of women in Atlantic Canada's trucking industry.

Quick Facts

• Status of Women Canada is providing $174,873 to the YWCA Halifax for its two-year project to address institutional barriers that limit the ability of communities in mainland Nova Scotia to address cyberviolence against young women and girls.
• The Antigonish Women's Resource Centre and Sexual Assault Services Association will receive $174,756 to for its two-year project to prevent and respond to sexual violence against women and girls in the Aboriginal community of Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation;
• The South Shore Transition House Association will receive $107,949 to for its two-year project to respond to the needs of women and girls who are victims of sexual violence; and
• The Trucking Human Resources Sector Council Atlantic will receive $242,721 to for its three-year project to increase the recruitment and advancement of women in leadership positions in the trucking industry in the Atlantic provinces.
• Through Status of Women Canada, federal funding of community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 720 projects across Canada.

Quotes

"Women and girls across Canada have enormous potential to contribute to their communities. The Government of Canada is investing in that potential with projects that do everything from preventing violence, to advancing women in non-traditional occupations. By positioning women to succeed, we all benefit."    

The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women

"This Government of Canada funding will allow us to take a hard look at cyberviolence in our province and to take concrete steps toward eliminating it from the lives of young women and girls. Our hope is that this project will empower young women by giving them a leading role in finding solutions."     

Miia Suokonautio
Executive Director, YWCA Halifax

Related Products

• Cyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond
• Opening Doors: Economic Opportunities for Women

Additional Links

• Information About Status of Women Canada at women.gc.ca

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only: Andrew McGrath, Press Secretary, Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P., Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, Tel: [phone]; For all other inquiries: Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, Tel: [phone]