Harper Government Announces Support to end violence against women by engaging men and boys in Alberta

EDMONTON, April 2, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Minister for Status of Women and Member of Parliament for Spruce Grove, today announced Government of Canada support for a new project to improve the safety of women and girls in the Edmonton area.

"We believe violence against women is an issue for all Canadians to address - women and men, girls and boys alike. We must all be part of the solution," said Minister Ambrose. "This groundbreaking approach has led our government to support innovative projects like this one, which will engage young men and boys in our community in ending violence against women and girls."

The Alberta Council of Women's Shelters is receiving $200,000 for a 24-month project to engage young men and boys in ending violence against women and girls. The target population is male youth in the Edmonton area. Through the project, the council will work with its member shelters, youth mentoring programs and leaders in engaging men to develop processes and tools for involving young men in ending gender-based violence.

"The Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS) is committed to doing all it can to end violence against women and girls" said Ms. Carolyn Goard, Director of Member Programs and Services, ACWS. "The Status of Women Canada funding will enable us to empower men and boys to lead by example and become mentors themselves."

This project is being supported under Status of Women Canada's recent Call for Proposals Working Together: Engaging communities to end violence against women and girls. It aligns with the specific theme of engaging men and boys in ending violence against women and girls.

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. The government's support through Status of Women Canada for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, from $10.8 million to close to $19 million, its highest level ever. Since 2007, over $59 million dollars in funding has been approved for projects to end violence against women and girls.

Canada's 2013 theme for International Women's Week and International Women's Day was Working Together: Engaging Men to End Violence against Women. International Women's Week took place this year from March 3 to 9, with International Women's Day on March 8.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only:  

Michelle Bakos
Director of Communications
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