Harper Government Committed To Ending Violence in the Name of So-Called "Honour"

SCARBOROUGH, ON, Sept. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Dr. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, today announced support to Agincourt Community Services Association for a project to reduce and prevent violence against women and girls committed in the name of so-called "honour". The Minister was joined by Roxanne James, Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

"Our Government is committed to protecting women and girls from all forms of violence, and holding offenders accountable for their acts," said Minister Leitch. "We are pleased to partner on this new project to help prevent acts of violence committed in the name of so-called 'honour'."

"I am pleased that the Government of Canada is partnering with Agincourt Community Services Association to serve the Scarborough community," said Ms. James. "This is another good example of our Government's efforts to end violence against women and girls across Canada."

Agincourt Community Services Association is receiving $199,519 for a 24-month project to address violence committed in the name of so-called "honour" in the Scarborough area. The project will enable immigrant women and girls from diverse ethno-cultural communities to identify barriers and work with a variety of local stakeholders to develop strategies that ensure access to support and services.

"We are committed to ending all forms of violence against women and girls" said Lee Soda, Executive Director at Agincourt Community Services Association. "We are very pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on this project to develop strategies addressing violence committed in the name of so-called "honour", which violates the rights and dignity of women and girls in our community."

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls while strengthening families, communities and the country. Through Status of Women Canada, federal support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 600 projects across Canada.

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]

For all other inquiries, contact: 

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

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

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