Minister Duclos announces new Government of Canada funding of $400,000 that will help support a vibrant gender equality movement across Canada

Project will advance gender equality in Québec and local women leaders will be engaged in national network

QUÉBEC, March 13, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls. By investing in a strong and thriving gender equality movement today, we are laying the foundation for gender equality tomorrow.

On behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Québec, today announced Government of Canada funding for a project that will advance gender equality in Québec. 

YWCA Québec will receive $400,000 in Government of Canada funding for their project to address the barriers women face in accessing positions on the administrative boards of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Through this project, YWCA Québec will work with partners to create gender parity committees, which will identify promising practices, develop gender parity plans and policies, and implement these policies within administrative boards.

This initiative is part of an $18 million investment by the Government of Canada. Its purpose is to support grassroots organizations and support 150 women leaders across the country who will work together to support feminist action for gender equality at the national level. The network is being convened by the Canadian Women's Foundation.

This project complements measures announced in Budget 2018: Equality + Growth: Strong Middle Class. Budget 2018 commits to investing an additional $100 million over five years in the Women's Program at Status of Women Canada. This new investment will support projects to end violence against women and girls, improve their economic security and prosperity, and advance women and girls into leadership and decision-making positions.

Quotes

"Strong, dynamic leaders are the heart of the women's movement and their passion are the key to achieving gender equality. Today's announcement shows the power of these leaders and their organizations to catalyze change and inspire action that benefits all of us, here and in the entire country. I am proud to support their efforts and our government's ongoing commitment to gender equality."

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women

"I am proud of our government's commitment to gender equality and thrilled to see the work that is being done with women and girls in the community. Through this new project, YWCA Québec will work to remove some of the barriers that hold us all back from reaching gender equality. We will all benefit from their efforts."

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Québec

"We welcome the government's support for this project to address the systemic barriers women face in accessing positions on the administrative boards of Québec organizations. We believe that developing practices to promote gender balance can ensure that women are better represented in these positions."

Katia de Pokomandy-Morin
Director General, YWCA Québec

Quick Facts

• Status of Women Canada is funding over $18 million in projects to advance gender equality across Canada.
• Budget 2018 commits to investing an additional $100 million over five years in the Women's Program at Status of Women Canada. This new investment will support projects to end violence against women and girls, improve their economic security and prosperity, and advance women and girls into leadership and decision-making positions.
• 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
• YWCA Québec will receive $400,000 in Government of Canada funding for their project to address the barriers women face in accessing positions on the administrative boards of both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
• 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.

Associated Links

• Information on Funding to Advance Gender Equality in Canada
• Status of Women Canada ? Women's Program
• YWCA Québec
• Canadian Women's Foundation

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SOURCE Status of Women Canada