Strong Women Mean a Strong Canada: Guergis

MONTRÉAL, March 19 /CNW Telbec/ - On behalf of the Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), Ms. Sylvie Boucher, Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women and Member of Parliament for Beauport-Limoilou, today announced Government of Canada support for a new project that will benefit girls and young women across Canada. The investment in the Girls Action Foundation's 36 month project Young Women: Learning and Leading for Change will help promote participation in leadership and decision-making roles.

"When we encourage girls and young women to improve their economic outlook and take on leadership roles in their communities, all Canadians benefit in the long run," Minister of State Guergis said. "This project specifically targets marginalized young women in British Columbia, Yukon, Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Ontario and helps deliver the leadership skills they need to address issues of violence prevention, economic security, civic engagement and democratic participation."

Funding for this project, totalling $407, 262, is allocated by the Government of Canada to the Women's Community Fund of Status of Women Canada. To qualify, projects must work to promote the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.

"Using the training tools developed in phase one of this project, phase two will reach out to young women from underprivileged backgrounds in communities across the country and offer them a chance to build a better future for themselves and the people around them," said Ms. Boucher.

"We are pleased to have the support of the Government of Canada for this project, which will empower and build leadership skills among marginalized girls and young women," said Ms. Tatiana Fraser, Executive Director of Girls Action Foundation. "By fostering collaboration and meaningful dialogue and building leadership capacity, young women will have the chance to become agents for change in their own communities."

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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.

For further information: Emily Goucher, Senior Special Assistant, Communications, Office of the Minister of State (Status of Women), [phone]; Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning, Status of Women Canada, [phone]