August 6, 2020 – Fort Providence, NT – Women and Gender Equality Canada
The COVID‑19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for survivors of sexual and domestic violence and the organizations that serve them. As we asked Canadians to stay home to protect public health, we also recognized that home is not a safe place for everyone. That is why our government acted to support women and children fleeing gender-based violence, including front-line organizations here in the North.
Women’s shelters, sexual assault centres and women’s organizations continue to provide essential services every day to survivors of gender-based violence. In these unprecedented times, there is a need for additional resources to ensure the continuity and sustainability of these services.
Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories is pleased to announce $321,350 in support of the Aimayunga Women and Emergency Foster Care Shelter in Tuktoyaktuk, the Family Support Centre in Hay River, the Inuvik Transition House Society and the YWCA in Yellowknife.
The funding will allow these organizations to continue providing essential services and supports during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that vulnerable members of our community have a safe place to turn. Across the country, nearly 1000 similar organizations have receive funding to help them through this difficult time.
Support for these critical organizations builds on the work our government has already undertaken to advance gender-equality and address gender-based violence, including the development of the first federal framework to prevent and address GBV and the introduction of our $75 million National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking. We have also taken steps to strengthen our justice system to ensure it is more responsive to the needs of survivors of gender-based violence. Recognizing the critical role they play in creating a stronger Canada, since 2015 we have provided more than $230 million in dedicated funding to women’s and equity-seeking organizations across the country and are supporting more than 500 organizations with multi-year funding.
Quotes
|
|
“Gender-based violence remains an intolerable scourge in Canada, one that has been exacerbated by COVID-19. That’s why our government moved swiftly to ensure that 1000 organizations providing services to 3 million women and children fleeing violence could access the support they needed to keep their doors open. I am deeply grateful to those working tirelessly to support some of the most vulnerable as they navigate this challenging time. As we move into the next phase of this crisis, our government will continue to focus on helping those who need it most, including ensuring that women and others hit hardest are at the centre of our recovery.”
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P. Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development |
|
|
|
|
|
“COVID-19 has touched all of our lives in Canada, but we must be mindful that facing the greatest risk are the most vulnerable, including women experiencing violence and their children. The safety and security of survivors of gender-based violence remains the utmost priority for the Government of Canada. These funds ensure swift and decisive action to address gaps in resources and services in the Northwest Territories. By going directly to women’s shelters, sexual assault centres, and women’s organizations providing GBV services and supports and organizations, these funds support the continuation of timely, compassionate and life-saving supports.”
Michael McLeod Member of Parliament, Northwest Territories |
|
|
|
|
|
“Federal pandemic support to NWT women’s shelters has enabled us to purchase additional cleaning supplies and protective equipment, and to make other changes to ensure physical distancing for clients and staff who live or work in our safe shelters. We are so thankful for this funding and its flexibility to help us meet our pandemic challenges.”
Lyda Fuller Executive Director, YWCA NWT |
|
|
|
Quick Facts
• 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.
• This funding announced today includes:
o Aimayunga Women and Emergency Foster Care Shelter - $97,000
o Family Support Centre (Hay River) - $63,675
o Inuvik Transition House Society - $63,675
o YWCA NWT - $97,000
• On May 29, 2020, the Government of Canada announced new funding to provide critical support to Indigenous families and communities during this crisis, based on needs that have been identified. The funding includes:
o $285.1 million to support the ongoing public health response to COVID-19 in Indigenous communities;
o $270 million to supplement the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program to address increased demand on the program; and
o $44.8 million over five years to build 12 new shelters, which will help protect and support Indigenous women and girls experiencing and fleeing violence.
• Visit the Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre (KC) for access to timely and relevant information, evidence, resources and research in a single platform. The KC also provides a searchable database, which brings together existing data and evidence on content related to gender-based violence.
• In June 2017, Women and Gender Equality 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.
Associated Links
