Project will improve gender equality by addressing barriers to employment
OTTAWA, Nov. 1, 2018 /CNW/ - Vulnerable and marginalized women, including women who live in remote and Northern communities, racialized and Indigenous women, women fleeing violence, newcomers, single mothers, LGBTQ2 women, low-income women, and women with disabilities and exceptionalities, face numerous barriers to employment. Our government is working to remove these barriers so that we improve women's financial security, grow the middle class and strengthen our economy.
Today, the Minister of Status of Women, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, announced new federal funding to address systemic barriers faced by vulnerable and marginalized women trying to find jobs. YWCA Canada, the country's oldest and largest women's multi-service organization, will receive $1.25 million for a 36-month project to increase women's financial security by improving access to employment and training.
This project will research, test, and implement solutions to the systemic barriers that vulnerable and marginalized women face in seeking employment. Research will take place in YWCA member association sites across Canada and apply a diversity and inclusion lens, often referred to as Gender-based Analysis Plus. Next, the project will identify and test the most successful wrap-around programs to accessing jobs in Calgary, Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Yellowknife. Finally, successful initiatives will be implemented across Canada through 20 YWCA member associations.
The project will work with public, private and civil society partners to effectively implement initiatives and change practices to economically empower vulnerable and marginalized women and enable them to participate fully in the economy.
Quotes
"All Canadians, regardless of gender, deserve an equal and fair chance of success, but they will not have it if they can't access good quality jobs. Our government's investment in this project will support vulnerable and marginalized women, who are often excluded from our economy, by providing them with the tailored services they need to help them join or rejoin the job market. Together, with YWCA Canada and private sector partners like RBC and others, we are working to remove barriers to women's economic participation, so that we grow our middle class and strengthen our economy for everyone."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women
"Increasing economic security for marginalized and vulnerable women is still needed in Canada. I welcome the Government of Canada's investment in this project which will help women who experience systemic discrimination when it comes to employment, wages and working conditions. Over the life of the project, we will develop programs that will be replicated across Canada in partnership with public, private and civil society leaders with the goal of attaining economic equality for all women in Canada."
Maya Roy
Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Canada
Quick Facts
- McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by taking steps to advance economic equality for women, Canada could add $150 billion to its economy by 2026.
- The Women's Program at Status of Women Canada supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers.
- Since its inception in 1870, YWCA Canada has developed extensive expertise and knowledge serving vulnerable and marginalized women. The organization taught stenography and typing to women as far back as 1875 when these trades were considered too physically demanding for women. YWCA Canada is well-equipped to ensure a strong understanding of the best ways forward to full labour market inclusion and, ultimately, gender equality.
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Associated Links
Backgrounder
Status of Women Canada – Women's Program
One of the ways Status of Women Canada advances gender equality 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 address emerging issues as they arise.
The Women's Program provides funding to projects 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 Young Women's Christian Association of Canada (YWCA) is the country's oldest and largest women's multi-service organization, with thirty-two associations operating in more than 400 districts and communities across Canada.
The organization provides programs and services to women and their families in response to community needs. Its mission is to advance gender equity for all women through informed advocacy and strong member associations.
YWCA Canada has developed wide-ranging expertise and knowledge serving vulnerable and marginalized women and has a strong understanding of the best ways forward to ensure women's inclusion in the job market and, ultimately, gender equality.
Project Description
YWCA Canada is receiving $1.25 million in federal funding for a 36-month project that will improve access jobs for women who face systemic barriers to employment, training and financial security.
By conducting research and using the diversity and inclusion lens, often referred to as Gender-based Analysis Plus, this project will increase understanding of the systemic barriers that vulnerable and marginalized women face. Examples of barriers can include a lack of affordable childcare, lack of access to affordable housing and shelter services, and a lack of formal literacy training. Research activities will take place in 10 YWCA member association sites across Canada from eight provinces and a territory. Having all of those sites involved will allow better understanding of barriers for vulnerable and marginalized women of various backgrounds.
This project will identify and test the most successful wrap-around programs to access labour markets in six member association sites across Canada, including Calgary, Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Yellowknife. Identified promising practices will then be employed nationally by 20 member associations.
The project will partner with government, business and civil society sectors to effectively implement actions and change practices that will help the economic empowerment of vulnerable and marginalized women. For the many women in Canada who face employment barriers, this project will provide a pathway that will allow them to participate fully in our economy.
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SOURCE Status of Women Canada
Braeson Holland, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Status of Women, 343-549-8825; Valérie Haché, Communications Officer, Status of Women Canada, 819-420-8684
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