Government of Canada supports young women and girls by working to end
violence against women

SALT SPRING ISLAND, BC, Aug. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport) and Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands, today announced Government of Canada support for the second phase of a community safety project. The project will provide leadership skills to girls and young women in the rural and isolated communities of Valemount/McBride, Prince George, Kamloops, Cowichan, Ucluelet and the Southern Gulf Islands.

"By providing support for this promising project, our government is once again demonstrating its commitment to ending violence against women and girls in all communities across Canada," said Minister Ambrose. "This dynamic organization and its 65 members work tirelessly to encourage young women and girls to take leadership roles in the prevention of violence. They are dedicated to keeping their communities safe and secure by providing vital resources, training and education."

"I am proud that our government is encouraging leadership skills among young women in order to end the strife of violence against women in our communities," said Minister Lunn. "By training them to serve as co-facilitators of community violence prevention workshops, SWOVA Community Development and Research Society is playing an important role in bettering the lives of women and girls in our community."

Salt Spring Women Opposed to Violence and Abuse (SWOVA) will receive $100,000 for its Pass It On: Women and Girls Working Together for Safety, Phase II project. 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.

"We are very pleased to have the Government of Canada's support for this 15-month project, which focuses on a priority issue - to encourage women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles - targeting girls and young women in five rural, geographically isolated communities," said Ms. Lynda Laushway, Executive Director of SWOVA. "We plan to foster leadership among young women by training them to mentor younger girls and also to co-facilitate violence prevention workshops."

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting worthwhile projects like the Salt Spring Women Opposed to Violence and Abuse's project, Pass It On: Women and Girls Working Together for Safety, Phase II, because they yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada while strengthening our families, our communities and our country.

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

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

For further information: Jonah Mozeson, Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, 613-799-1609; Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning, Status of Women Canada, 613-995-7839