TRURO, N.S. — Maryam Monsef hopes recently announced funding will enable women’s organizations to place more focus on their work.
Monsef, the federal Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, made a stop at The Lotus Centre in Truro on Wednesday, as she travelled from New Brunswick to Halifax, making announcements on Women’s Program funding.
“We’re providing funding so women’s organizations can focus on transforming and saving lives,” she said. “They’re not just the crisis centres that someone shows up to when they have experiences sexual violence and gender-based violence but they are the employment agencies, they are the youth support centres, they are the immigrant integration centres and they are the person that everybody calls in the community when they don’t know who else to call – and that’s a lot of work and that’s a lot of responsibility.”
The 2018 budget provided $100 million to invest in organizations working to help women in these areas.
“A lot of women’s organizations have been working tirelessly on slim to no budget,” said Monsef. “I hope this is validating for leaders who’ve been saying they’re helping people pieces their lives back together again, but they need help financially.
“Investing in organizations like these is the best way to advance gender equality.”
More than 250 organizations across the country are receiving funds from the capacity-building fund of the Women’s Program. Seven Nova Scotia groups will receive $2.4 million of that funding.
The program’s priority areas are ending violence against women and girls, improving the economic security and prosperity of women and girls, and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.
Assistance is provided to groups selected through calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process.
Nova Scotia Projects selected for funding:
Alice House (Second Stage Housing Association of Dartmouth)
Project title: Alice Strong
Funding amount: $75,728
Alice Housing is operated by the Second Stage Housing Association of Dartmouth. It offers a safe environment, and services, for women leaving abusive relationships.
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Be the Peace Institute
Project title: Charting Our Path
Funding amount: $250,000
BTPI is dedicated to promoting gender equity, healthy relationships and safe, peaceful communities in Nova Scotia.
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Fédération des femmes acadiennes de la Nouvelle-Écosse
Project title: Renforcer ses capacités: filles et femmes en action !
Funding amount: $546,920
FFANE is dedicated to the future success, prosperity, safety and security of Acadian and Francophone women in Nova Scotia.
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Immigrant Migrant Women's Association of Halifax
Project title: Igniting, Expanding and Sustaining IMWAH- its Board performance and gender+ community impact
Funding amount: $231,000
IMWAH of Halifax works to celebrate the contributions and respond to the concerns of immigrant and migrant women and girls.
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Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association
Project title: NSNWA Capacity Building
Funding amount: $629,000
The NSNWA works to assist and encourage First Nations women to contribute ideas and skills to the social, cultural and economic development of Mi’Kmaq society.
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Transition House Association of Nova Scotia
Project title: Using Numbers to Tell Our Stories: Data Management in Women's Shelters Across Nova Scotia
Funding amount: $489,200
THANS member organizations provide transitional services to women and their children who are experiencing violence and abuse, including culturally relevant services to Indigenous women. THANS’ organizations work with women and their children in 13 locations.
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United African Canadian Women’s Association
Project title: UACWA Long-Term Enhancement Project
Funding amount: $239,950
The UACWA is committed to improving the welfare of families and celebrating African culture and heritage within the Canadian context.
