Harper Government Creating Leadership Opportunities for Girls and Young Women in Iqaluit

IQALUIT, NU, Sept. 17, 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 Government of Canada support for a project to create more leadership opportunities for girls and young women in Iqaluit.

"Our Government recognizes the enormous potential of girls and young women to take on leadership roles in our communities," said Minister Leitch. "This new project with the Y.W.C.A. Agvvik will ensure that Canadian girls and young women have the skills to become leaders and decision makers in their communities."

"Our Government is committed to supporting and strengthening leadership skills of young women and girls living in northern communities," said Minister Aglukkaq. "Strong leaders are a key to economic development and it benefits not just the local communities, but Canadian society as a whole."

The Young Women's Christian Association (Y.W.C.A.) Agvvik is receiving $199,993 from the Government of Canada for a 24-month project that will address the challenges faced by Aboriginal women under the age of 24 in Iqaluit. As part of the project, young women will work with partners and mentors within the community to identify barriers to their participation in civic, political and community life. Participants will also take leadership training, present their findings to community members and lead the development and implementation of their own projects.

"We are pleased to work with the Government of Canada to give girls and young women in our community the opportunity to lead," said Suny Jacob, Executive Director of the Y.W.C.A. Agvvik. "This project will allow young women to acquire leadership skills, develop confidence and work together to overcome any challenges they have identified."

This project is being supported under Status of Women Canada's Call for Proposals, Setting the Stage for Girls and Young Women to Succeed. The Government of Canada has approved more than $5.9 million in funding under this call for projects that promote leadership and prosperity among girls and young women.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls while strengthening families, communities and the country. The government's support through Status of Women Canada for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2007, supporting over 600 projects.

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]

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