Harper Government committed to ending violence against Inuit women and girls

IQALUIT, NU, Sept. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Dr. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Minister for the Arctic Council, and Member of Parliament for Nunavut, today announced support for a new project that will engage Inuit men and boys in ending violence against women and girls.

"Our government is committed to ending violence against women and girls in communities across Canada," said Minister Leitch. "When it comes to violence against women, everyone must be part of the solution.  I am pleased to support this new project because it takes an inclusive approach with the positive engagement and active participation of men and boys."

"We are working with organizations across the country to end violence against women and girls and to offset the effects of violence within families and throughout our communities," said Minister Aglukkaq. "By working collaboratively with local men and boys, this project will reduce gender-based violence in these communities, making them safer for everyone."

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada is receiving $300,000 in funding for a 24-month project that will engage Inuit men and boys in ending violence against women and girls in Nunavut and Nunavik (Quebec). The project will take a collaborative approach, establishing an advisory committee comprised of men's and woman's groups, service providers, governmental and non-governmental organizations and both regional and national Inuit organizations. Participants will take part in training activities, develop a needs assessment, and undertake a gender-based analysis of issues related to violence in women's lives. They will also implement strategies to address these issues.

"Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada is doing all it can to prevent violence against Inuit women and girls," said Rebecca Kudloo, President of the organization. "We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on this project to engage local men and boys in confronting and eliminating gender-based violence in the community."

This project is being supported under Status of Women Canada's 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. Through Status of Women Canada, the government's support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting over 600 projects.

Since 2007, the Government of Canada has contributed more than $11 million to projects aimed at eliminating violence against Aboriginal women.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only: 

Jan O'Driscoll
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. Dr. Kellie Leitch, P.C.,
O. Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of
Status of Women Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

For all other inquiries, contact: 

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications
and Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
Tel: [phone]

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