Subjects: ECO, WOM, AVO, CFG
Government of Canada invests in women's organization in Durham Region
Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham receiving funding to ensure it can continue providing essential supports to women and their families
AJAX, ON, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Women's organizations provide vital services to 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 for far too long they have been chronically underfunded, underestimated and undermined. The Government of Canada recognizes that women's organizations are the lifeblood of the women's movement, and that maintaining and growing their ability to do this important work is the most effective way to advance gender equality.
That's why today, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, along with the Honourable Mark Holland, Member of Parliament for Ajax and Chief Government Whip, announced that the Government of Canada is investing $136,637 in the Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham (WMRCCD).
The WMRCCD is one of the more than 250 women's organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women across receiving funding under the Government of Canada's Capacity-building Fund. This investment stems from the Budget 2018 announcement of $100 million over five years to support a viable and sustainable women's movement across Canada.
Quotes
"With our historic investment, we recognize the women and women's organizations breaking through barriers and express our gratitude to those who have been doing this work for decades on little more than a shoestring budget. The women's movement across Canada has been asking for a reliable, predictable and accessible source of funds to ensure the sustainability of their work. Our government listened. With this stable and flexible funding, we are helping the Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham grow and endure, because we know that investing in women's organizations is the most effective way to advance gender equality. By supporting a movement that has achieved amazing results, we are growing the middle class, strengthening families and communities, and creating lasting change that benefits everyone."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality
"It is a privilege to be a part of today's announcement. The Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre has been a longstanding member in the Ajax community, and does essential work to help advance gender equality. The WMRCC are very deserving of this new funding for their efforts, which will provide them a greater opportunity to support immigrant women and youth throughout Durham Region."
The Honourable Mark Holland, P.C.
Member of Parliament for Ajax and Chief Government Whip
"We have wanted to develop a new digital platform for some time. We are thankful for the funding from the federal government which will allow us to put our plan to work and upgrade our capacity to serve women in Durham Region. We look forward to our new digital presence as another way to serve the community and make positive change possible."
Esther Enyolu, Executive Director
Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham
Quick Facts
- 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 proposes to invest a further $160 million over five years, starting in 2019?20, in the Department for Women and Gender Equality's Women's Program. This means that by 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 annually.
- 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.
- Some populations are more likely to experience violence and may face unique barriers and challenges that put them at particular risk (Statistics Canada, 2015).
- Gender-based violence can have lifelong impacts on an individual's physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health. Additionally, the effects can be serious and costly. Annually, the economic impact of intimate partner violence and sexual assault is estimated to be more than $12 billion.
- Canada will host the Women Deliver 2019 Conference from June 3 to 6, 2019, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Held every three years, it is the world's largest gathering on gender equality and the health, rights and well-being of women and girls.
- The conference is part of a global movement to promote gender equality worldwide and give voice to a broad spectrum of people, including Indigenous peoples, youth and those living in conflict and crisis settings. It will bring together more than 7,000 individuals?world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, youth and journalists?from more than 160 countries, with an additional 100,000 people joining virtually.
Related Product
Backgrounder
Department for Women and Gender Equality ? Women's Program
One of the ways the Department for Women and Gender Equality advances gender equality in Canada is by providing funding to eligible organizations through the Women's Program. Projects are selected via calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process that allows the Women's Program to address emerging issues as they arise.
The Women's Program funds projects that address systemic barriers to women's equality in three priority areas: ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security and prosperity of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.
Capacity-building Call for Proposals
In October 2018, Minister Monsef announced a Call for Proposals under the Capacity-building Fund of the Women's Program. Projects at the local, provincial, and national level were eligible for different amounts of funding, based on their specific need and reach.
On March 8, 2019, International Women's Day, Minister Monsef announced that over 250 women's organizations across the country would receive funding from the Capacity-building Fund.
The objective is to fund proposals that will increase the capacity of eligible women's organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women, whose initiatives contribute to a viable women's movement in Canada that advances gender equality. Funding will increase the ability of organizations to grow, meet the increasing demands for their services, and continue to work collectively to address gender equality issues. The fund stems from the Budget 2018 announcement of $100 million over five years to help support a viable and sustainable women's movement across Canada.
Today's announcement in Ajax, Ontario, profiled the following project selected for federal funding through the Capacity-building Fund:
Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham (WMRCCD)
Project title: Digital Age after 25 Years of Service
Funding amount: $136,637
The WMRCCD will upgrade their online presence and create a digital platform that can serve the needs of women from diverse languages, cultures, customs, religions, and ethnicities. The four main objectives for restructuring and expansion are to develop a general strategy, prepare for a new digital presence, renew fundraising strategies, and develop a new partnership and communications plan.
The WMRCCD is a multicultural organization serving immigrant women and youth from all corners of the world. WMRCCD was founded in 1993 to provide services and increase public awareness of the rising incidences of violence against women in the community. They work from an integrated perspective of feminism, anti-racism, and anti-oppression to eradicate violence against immigrant women, newcomers, children and youth.
Associated Links
- Capacity-Building Fund Call for Proposals
- Women Deliver 2019
- Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham
Follow the Department for Women and Gender Equality:
SOURCE Department for Women and Gender Equality
These press releases may also interest you
|
News published on and distributed by:
