COVID-19 is a crisis unlike any other. It has hit women hardest with jobs lost and women taking on more unpaid work than they already were for their kids as well as their elders. Women are the majority of those on the front lines of the fight against COVID. That includes nurses, of course, but also personal support workers, other health care workers, child care workers, food sector workers and social workers.
Women’s organizations provide vital services in our communities, supporting women and girls to be financially secure, free from violence, and able to fully participate in all aspects of our economy and society. Yet, there is still a lot of work to do to ensure they have the resources their need to continue their important work.
That’s why today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced an investment of more than $2 million for four projects supporting women and girls in Quebec.
The following organizations are receiving funding:
- The Concertation des luttes contre l’exploitation sexuelle (CLES) is receiving $450,000, under the Women’s Program’s continuous intake process, to enhance their organizational capacity, specifically in the areas of human resources management, strategic planning, partnership development, collaboration and networking, and diversification of funding sources;
- Info-Femmes Inc. is receiving $149,584, under the Capacity-Building Fund, to enhance their organizational capacity, to support strategic planning, partnership development, collaboration and networking, diversification of funding sources, as well as the development of an advocacy strategy;
- The Association féminine d’éducation et d’action sociale (AFEAS) is receiving $749,999, under the Capacity-Building Fund, to enhance their organizational capacity in various areas in order to allow them to maintain a stable organization, capable of renewing and increasing its membership, as well as recruiting new employees; and
- The Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes is receiving $709,000, under the Gender-Based Violence Program, to document the impact of pre-migration trauma on refugee and newcomer women during their integration and settlement in Canada, which will allow stakeholders to better respond to their needs by identifying the risk factors and responding more effectively to reduce re-victimization in Canada.
Funding for these projects stems from historic Budget 2018 investments in both the Capacity-building Fund, to support a sustainable women’s movement, and the Gender-Based Violence Program to address gaps in support for underserved groups in Canada that experience gender-based violence.
Quotes
“With our historic investments, we recognize the contribution of women and organizations that work to break down barriers. We proudly support these organizations that work hard to empower women and to ensure that their rights and interests are respected and protected. The four organizations that receive funding today are distinguished by their dynamism and dedication to gender equality. Funding for these projects is making a real difference for women across the province.”
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville
“This funding to build the capacity of organizations is an important contribution to the strengthening of the women’s movement in Canada and, in our case, the fight against sexual exploitation. With governance tools and strategic planning, we will be better able to achieve our mission. Our organization has been in existence for 15 years and this funding is very timely. Our capacity to act as a feminist organization is thus strengthened, as is our impact in society.”
Diane Matte, Coordinator
Concertation des luttes contre l’exploitation sexuelle
“Info-Femmes is proud to receive this funding from the Government of Canada. Greater organizational capacity is allowing us to expand our reach and thus accompany even more women in their quest to break isolation and to empower themselves.”
Anik Paradis, Coordinator
Info-Femmes Inc.
“The Association féminine d’éducation et d’action sociale carries out many activities to help our members across Quebec to raise their voices in defence of equality between women and men. We are grateful for this federal funding, which supports our mission to achieve full recognition of the economic, social, cultural and political contributions of women in our society.”
Hélène Tremblay, Chair
Association féminine d’éducation et d’action sociale
“With this funding from the Government of Canada, the Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes will be able to expand its research capacity and knowledge capacity, thereby offering even better support and defence of the rights and protection of refugee and newcomer women in Quebec.”
Lida Aghasi, Co-chair
Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes
Quick facts
- As part of the COVID-19 response, the Government of Canada is investing $350 million in the Emergency Community Support Fund to support charities and non-profit organizations requiring financial assistance to address the pandemic.
- As part of the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, $50 million was allocated to support organizations providing services to women and their families fleeing violence, $40 million of which was allocated by Women and Gender Equality Canada. Through the first phase of this funding, $30 million was directly delivered to nearly 700 women’s shelters and organizations serving survivors of sexual assault. Through the second phase, the remaining $10 million is being distributed to other organizations that provide important services to those experiencing gender-based violence. Through both phases of this funding, the federal government is supporting nearly 1000 organizations across the country.
- Budget 2018 announced $100 million over five years to support a viable and sustainable women’s movement across Canada. Adding to this historic investment, Budget 2019 invested a further $160 million over five years, starting in 2019–20, in Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Women’s Program. This means that in 2023–24, the Women’s Program, which supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers, will total $100 million.
- In June 2017, Women and Gender Equality Canada (formerly Status of Women Canada) announced the first-ever federal Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. To date, the Government of Canada has invested over $200 million to prevent gender-based violence, support survivors and their families, and create more responsive legal and justice systems.
- This funding will enable women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women to tackle systemic barriers impeding women’s progress, while recognizing and addressing the diverse experiences of gender and inequality across the country.