Tracking success - Government of Canada support strengthens the safety of women and girls in Toronto

TORONTO, Aug. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, shared the benefits and results arising from Government of Canada support for projects that target women and girls - in this case, a project that addresses the priority issue of ending violence against women and girls.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to support projects like this, which are improving the lives of women and girls, their families and their communities," said Minister Ambrose. "By supporting efforts to provide vulnerable women and girls with safe, accessible services so they can reach their goals, we empower them to build better lives, to reach for their dreams and to fully participate in the life of our country."

The Redwood for Women and Children Fleeing Abuse received $350,280 in Government of Canada funding for its project Women on the Move. This groundbreaking three-year project has allowed The Redwood to create a comprehensive training tool to be used by newcomer service agencies and other women's shelters in supporting immigrant women facing abuse. The project will be completed by April 1, 2013.

"We are very pleased our project is making a difference for survivors of abuse by addressing the barriers immigrant women face in accessing domestic violence support services," said Ms. Anne-Marie Gardner, Executive Director of the The Redwood for Women and Children Fleeing Abuse. "Our work is helping newcomer service agencies and other women's shelters more effectively support immigrant women in meeting the challenges they face, and joining in making their own communities healthier and safer."

To date, the Women on the Move project has helped 20 immigrant women complete a leadership program. These women have gone on to speak at community events and help to run workshops with more than 30 community agencies, providing information and services to some 1,000 of their peers.

In addition, these 30 women survivors of abuse, including 10 youth, are participating in this process, providing education on violence and support services to 270 women with similar experiences. These women also provide advice on practices that other agencies - particularly the 35 partner agencies of The Redwood - can use to reach marginalized immigrant woman who face abuse.

"By improving the quality of services to immigrant women, Redwood is also improving our own success rate, along with the success rate of other agencies," Ms. Anne-Marie Gardner added. "The results we have achieved are very gratifying, as we reach out to marginalized immigrant women and support them to end violence in their lives."

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.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only:         

Michelle Bakos
Director of Communications
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

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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.