Harper Government Takes Action to Address Violence Against Young Women and Girls in Toronto

TORONTO, Nov. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, today announced Government of Canada funding for a project that will address violence committed in the name of so-called 'honour' against women and girls in the Toronto area.

"Our Government is committed to protecting women and girls from violence, " said Minister Leitch. "That is why we are pleased to partner on this new project to help prevent acts of violence committed in the name of so-called 'honour'. "

"Eliminating violence against women and girls means tackling the issue in all its forms, including violence committed in the name of so-called 'honour'," said Senator Ataullahjan. "Through this project, the South Asian Women's Centre is helping to address this serious issue, as it affects girls and young women in many communities throughout Toronto."

The South Asian Women's Centre is receiving $187,216 from the Government of Canada to carry out a project that reaches out to young women and girls who are vulnerable to violence in the name of so-called 'honour'. The project participants range in age from 14 to 20 years, and will work with key partners to identify gaps in services, as well as create a coordinated strategy to assist those who are most at-risk of this serious form of violence.

"Recent studies show that girls and young women aged 14 to 20 are particularly at risk of experiencing violence in the name of so-called 'honour,'" said Ms. Chitra Dadlani, Board Chair, South Asian Women's Centre. "As part of our mandate to support South Asian women here in Toronto, we want to help empower girls and young women in our community to be safe and aware, both of the issue and its solutions."

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. Through Status of Women Canada, federal support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 600 projects across Canada. Since that time, over $62 million dollars in funding has been approved for projects to end violence against women and girls.

From November 25, 2013 until December 10, 2013, the Harper Government is marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This includes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, Canada's  National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6, and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on December 10, 2013.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only:

Barbara Mottram
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. Dr. K. 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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