Harper Government Committed to Ending Violence against Women and Girls in Western Nova Scotia

KENTVILLE, NS, July 26, 2013 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Dr. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, today announced support for a new project that will engage 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. "I am pleased that we are supporting this new project to ensure the safety and security of girls and women in western Nova Scotia."

Chrysalis House Association is receiving $185,000 in funding for a 24-month project that will engage men, boys, women and girls in the rural counties of West Hants, Kings and Annapolis in the western region of Nova Scotia. An advisory committee of community partners and stakeholders will help guide the project to engage men and boys in ensuring the safety and preventing violence against local women and girls, including those from First Nations, African Nova Scotian and Acadian communities.

"We are working with organizations across the country to end violence against women and girls and to offset its destructive impact on our communities,"said Minister MacKay. "This project will engage local men and boys to play an important leadership role in ending the violence."

"It is important to do all we can to prevent violence against women and girls," said Rhonda Fraser, Executive Director of Chrysalis House Association. "We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on this project to engage local men and boys in understanding the roots of gender-based violence and leading the way to safer communities for everyone."

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.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only:            

Jan O'Driscoll
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Labour and
     Minister of Status of Women
819 953-5646

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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