New federal funding will help prevent and address violence against Indigenous women in Newfoundland and Labrador

STEPHENVILLE, NL, Aug. 17, 2018 /CNW/ - Gender equality is a key priority for the Government of Canada,  because we know that Canada simply cannot move forward when half of us are held back.

That's why today, Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, announced Government of Canada funding to help prevent and address violence against Indigenous women in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network Inc. is receiving $291,243 for a 36-month project entitled Building Understanding: Strengthening Lives. The project is focused on increasing Indigenous women's reporting of domestic violence, and improving access to culturally-relevant support services within the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador.  

Through partnerships, community consultations, and stakeholder engagement with justice-related service providers, the organization will undertake a needs assessment, build on the best practices identified, and work with community Elders to develop and implement tools, protocols, and resources for women. A broad network of agencies from across the province will be the target of knowledge sharing roundtables to ensure that the concerns of Indigenous women are widely heard, and new partnerships and collaboration fostered between Indigenous women, justice supports, and front-line service providers.

Quotes

"Gender-based violence remains a persistent barrier to gender equality in our country, and Indigenous women and girls are more likely to be victims of this kind of violence. That's why the federal government is committed to supporting organizations such as the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network and their important work toward addressing and preventing gender-based violence in all its forms."

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women

"I am proud of the Government of Canada's commitment to advancing gender equality. I am also pleased that this collaboration with the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network Inc. will help prevent and address violence against Indigenous women. Many women, their families and communities across Newfoundland and Labrador will benefit from this initiative."

Gudie Hutchings, M.P. 
Long Range Mountains

"We welcome this opportunity to collaborate with the Government of Canada to increase Indigenous women's reporting of domestic violence, and improve access to culturally-relevant support services in Newfoundland and Labrador. This project is going to make a real difference in the lives of Indigenous women, as well as their families and communities who also suffer the consequences of violence."

Elder Odelle Pike
President
Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network Inc.

Quick Facts

• Status of Women Canada works to address systemic barriers to the full participation of women in all aspects of Canadian life with a focus on three priorities: increasing women's economic security and prosperity; encouraging women in leadership and decision-making roles; and, ending violence against women and girls.
• In June 2017, the Minister of Status of Women, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, announced the first-ever federal strategy to prevent and address gender-based violence. The Strategy is based on three pillars: prevention, support for survivors and their families, and promoting a responsive justice system.
• The Government of Canada expanded the Strategy's scope and nearly doubled its total funding to nearly $200 million in Budget 2018. New investments will focus on preventing teen dating violence, enhancing and developing preventative bullying and cyberbullying initiatives, and equipping health professionals to provide appropriate care to victims, among other actions. Additionally, Budget 2018 expands the RCMP sexual assault review and support training and awareness of officers, as well as establish a National Framework to Address Gender-Based Violence in Post-Secondary Institutions.
• The Government of Canada is committed to advancing reconciliation with Inuit, First Nations, and the Métis Nation. The focus is on building a renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples, one based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.

Associated Links

• Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network
• Status of Women Canada – Women's Program
• Status of Women – Gender-Based Violence Program

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Backgrounder

Status of Women Canada – Women's Program

One of the ways Status of Women Canada advances gender equality in Canada is by providing funding to eligible organizations through the Women's Program. Projects are selected via calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process that allows the Women's Program to accept applications on an ongoing basis.

The Women's Program funds projects of up to five years that address barriers to women's participation and equality in Canadian society in three priority areas: ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.

Funded Project

The Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network strives to promote, enhance and encourage the health, social, educational, economic, cultural, and political well-being of Indigenous women within the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Project Description

The Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network Inc. is receiving $291,243 for a 36-month project entitled Building Understanding: Strengthening Lives. The project is focused on increasing Indigenous women's reporting of domestic violence, and improving access to culturally-relevant support services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Through partnerships, community consultations, and stakeholder engagement with justice-related service providers, the organization will undertake a needs assessment, build on the best practices identified, and work with community Elders to develop and implement tools, protocols, and resources for women. A broad network of agencies from across the province will be the target of knowledge sharing roundtables to ensure that the concerns of Indigenous women are widely heard, and new partnerships and collaboration fostered between women, justice supports, and front-line service providers.

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SOURCE Status of Women Canada

Rosalyn Stevens, Communications Assistant, Office of the Minister of Status of Women, 819-420-7025; Valérie Haché, Communications Officer, Status of Women Canada, 819-420-8684