The Harper Government Supports Men's Engagement in Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Southeastern New Brunswick Immigrant Communities

MONCTON, NB, March 14, 2013 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, Robert Goguen, Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, today announced Government of Canada support for a new project that will engage immigrant men and boys in ending violence against women and girls in Greater Moncton.

"Our Government is taking action to protect the most vulnerable women in Canadian society," said Minister Ambrose. "Violence against women is an issue for all Canadians to address - women and men, girls and boys. We must all be part of the solution."

"I'm proud to announce a project that reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to ending violence against women," said Mr. Goguen. "The project announced today will make a real difference by increasing the safety of women and girls in local immigrant communities."

The Centre d'accueil et d'accompagnement francophone des immigrants du Sud-Est du Nouveau-Brunswick (CAFI) is receiving $129,008 for a 24-month project that will engage immigrant men and boys in ending violence against women and girls. The goal of the project is to foster collective action to end gender-based violence.

"CAFI is committed to doing everything possible to help eliminate violence against women and girls," said Murielle Gagné Ouellette, President of CAFI's Board of Directors. "We are delighted to be working with Status of Women Canada on this project, which responds to the need for education and action to address violence against women and girls in immigrant communities."

This project is being supported under Status of Women Canada's recent Call for Proposals Working Together: Engaging communities to end violence against women and girls. It aligns with the specific theme of engaging men and boys in ending violence against women and girls.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada while strengthening families, communities and the country. Through Status of Women Canada, the government's support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, from $10.8 million to close to $19 million, its highest level ever. Since 2007, close to $59 million dollars in funding has been approved for projects to end violence against women and girls.

Canada's theme for International Women's Week and International Women's Day 2013 was Working Together: Engaging Men to End Violence against Women. International Women's Week took place this year from March 3 to 9, with International Women's Day on March 8.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only:

Amber Irwin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Works and
Government Services and
Minister for Status of Women
819 997-5421

For all other inquiries, contact: 

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General
Communications and
Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
613 995-7839

Ce texte est également disponible en français .
For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.

For further information on International Women's Day and International Women's Week, please visit the Status of Women Canada web site at iwd.gc.ca.