Ottawa and Eastern Ontario projects will advance gender equality in communities and women leaders will be engaged in a pan-Canadian network
OTTAWA, June 12, 2017 /CNW/ - As Canada marks the 150th anniversary of Confederation, it is important to reflect on our legacy for the future. Despite the important milestones witnessed in these 150 years, women, girls, and gender-non-conforming people still face hardships. A lot more work remains for gender equality to become a reality in Canada. By investing in a strong and thriving gender equality movement today, we are laying the foundation for gender equality tomorrow.
In October 2016, Status of Women Canada invited organizations to propose projects that advance gender equality across Canada. As of June 2017, some 50 projects, with an objective of empowering women, have been approved for over $18 million. This is the most funding ever to be approved through a Status of Women Canada call for proposals. Approved projects will take place over a period of three years.
Today, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, announced the group of projects taking place in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. The Minister was joined by local women's leaders and representatives from: the Canadian College of Health Leaders, Harmony House, Lowertown Community Resource Centre, Métis Nation of Ontario, Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, and the Women's Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County.
As a digital partner with Status of Women Canada for this launch, Instagram offered participants at the event a learning session on social media best practices to create communities and maximize audiences.
In addition to working on these local projects, the women leaders will participate in a pan-Canadian network to support feminist action for gender equality at the national level. The network is being convened by the Canadian Women's Foundation.
Other projects related to this call for proposals will be announced in the coming months.
Quote
"Strong, dynamic women are the heart of the women's movement and their leadership is key to achieving gender equality. Today's panel offered us the opportunity to learn from these influential community women leaders. Our government's initiative will bring them together, at the national level, with the goal of facilitating the exchange of experiences and promising practices. This strong and vibrant women's movement will lead the way to equality for the next 150 years and beyond."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women
Quick Facts
- The Ottawa and Eastern Ontario projects are being funded through the call for proposals, Funding to Advance Gender Equality, which was announced in October 2016.
- The Women's Program at Status of Women Canada supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers that contribute to gender inequality in Canada.
Related Product
- Backgrounder – Canada 150
Associated Links
- Canadian Women's Foundation
- Information on Funding to Advance Gender Equality in Canada
- Status of Women Canada – Women's Program
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Backgrounder
Call for proposals: Funding to Advance Gender Equality in Canada
In October 2016, Status of Women Canada invited organizations to propose projects that advance gender equality across Canada. As of June 2017, some 50 projects have been approved for over $18 million in Funding to Advance Gender Equality.
Over the course of 36-months, the projects will address systemic barriers in Status of Women Canada's three areas of focus: increasing women's economic security and prosperity, encouraging women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles, and ending violence against women and girls.
The Canadian Women's Foundation will facilitate a pan-Canadian network of women leaders to support feminist action for gender equality at the national level. These leaders have been chosen for their remarkable efforts at the local level to realize tangible advancements in supporting and empowering women, girls and gender non-conforming people. By creating a network of visionary women we will broaden the reach of their efforts beyond their communities – inspiring others from across the country to add their voices and contribute their ideas towards achieving real progress.
The following projects will advance gender equality in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario:
Canadian College of Health Leaders ($399,976)
This project will address the under-representation of women in leadership positions in Ontario's health care system. The organization will conduct a gender-based analysis to identify systemic barriers and will review systemic changes that were successful in Canada and abroad. It will use learning laboratories to develop tools and resources to support the implementation of systemic changes.
Harmony House ($400,000)
This project will address gaps in family justice services for women who have experienced violence. In collaboration with key stakeholders, including survivors, family law practitioners, law professors, women's resource centres, and shelters, the organization will conduct a gender-based analysis of the impact of family law practice on survivors of violence. Through this project, a collaborative training model for legal professionals and revisions to family law courses at the University of Ottawa will be developed.
Lowertown Community Resource Centre – City for All Women Initiative ($391,500)
This project will improve the economic security of women and girls by addressing the gendered impacts of poverty in Ottawa. In collaboration with local women's organizations, the organization will apply a gender-based analysis to develop recommendations on poverty reduction measures. Key stakeholders will also be engaged in identifying and implementing strategies to influence policies, practices, services and budgets in Ottawa's municipal institutions to increase their effectiveness for women and girls.
Métis Nation of Ontario ($332,780)
This project will strengthen the leadership of Métis women in the Métis Nation of Ontario and advance their needs in the governance structure, policies, and practices. A steering committee comprised of Métis women will apply a gender-based lens to the organization's existing structures and policies and identify barriers (such as poverty, trauma, and loss of cultural identity) that prevent elected Métis women from exercising leadership in their community. Based on the input provided, the organization will develop and implement a culture-based gender framework and province-wide strategy to support Métis women in their respective leadership roles
Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW) ($399,500)
This project seeks to improve tracking and reporting of sexual assaults by law enforcement authorities in Ontario. Working with key stakeholders from women's sexual assault centres, shelter networks, and police services, the organization will design an accountability model based on the "Philadelphia Model". The model will be piloted in various Ontario communities.
Women's Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County ($277,650)
This project will improve response systems for victims of sexual violence in Renfrew County by empowering women and girls to advocate for enhanced and accessible services in rural contexts. A survivor community advisory committee will support the organization in identifying key issues and solutions. The organization will work with survivors and service providers to develop a resource manual on survivor self-advocacy. It will be used to pilot strategies to improve victim response systems and survivor experience.
SOURCE Status of Women Canada
Philippe Charlebois, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Status of Women, 613-618-8546; Léonie Roux, Public Affairs Officer, Status of Women Canada, 819-420-6821
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