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Funding announcement to address gender- based violence through sexual health education

$8M to be given for 21 projects to improve the health and well-being of women and girls, and eliminate gender-based violence.
Marci Ien
Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Minister Marci Ien.

OTTAWA—Key to the funding announced by the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Minister Marci Ien, is to build healthy life skills, promote prevention and support for women and children, through education.

Increasing access to knowledge and information will help empower Canadians and thus not only be able to identify violent and harmful behavior, but also act on them. The government announced that over $8M for 21 projects to improve the health and well being of women and girls, and illuminating gender-based violence.

These projects will also aim to increase sexual health education, promote gender equality and address harmful gender norms while at the same time taking into account intersectional lived experiences.

On Dec.8, 2021 it was announced that Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, was hosting a panel discussion for a 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Subsequently, meetings were held with key partners and highlighted the important work of organizations who provide services and supports to Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals.

Prior to making this key announcement on Jan. 20, 2022, The Honourable, Minister Marci Ien met with two organizations, the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada and the Regroupement Naissances Respectees, both who are advancing gender equality through their community- based projects.

As part of the funding, The SIEC will be receiving over $696,000, to continue to ensure that sexual education programs are more effective in addressing persistent harmful gender norms and attitudes among youth and reduce gender-based violence; while the RNR will receive over $450,00. They hope to continue their work to support the perinatal community and strengthen their capacity and partnership to support gender equality.

"Community organizations, advocates, survivors, and allies are the heart of systemic change. I know there are dedicated people behind each of these projects and I want to reaffirm that the Government of Canada supports their important work. I'm committed to continuing our work with organizations as they take action and invite others to do the same. By addressing the root causes of gender-based violence, we advance gender equality and empower women and girls to reach their full potential." stated, Ien.

Jessica Wood, Research Specialist, Sex Information & Education Council of Canada, shared her reaction by stating that, "The Sex Information & Education Council of Canada is pleased to launch Preventing Gender-Based Violence: Developing and Implementing Effective Sexual Health Education Policy and Practice. This project is funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada's Feminist Response and Recovery Fund. The overarching objective of the project is to modify policies and practices. By doing so, it will more effectively integrate gender-based violence prevention within sexual health education programming in schools and community settings in Canada."

The Director General, Regroupement Naissances Respectées, Lorraine Fontaine expresses her gratitude for this funding which will allow her organization to hire consultants and project managers to strengthen “their capacity to integrate a feminist intersectional approach to all aspects of the organization.” She indicated some of this funding will go towards training about obstetric and gynaecological violence and events and conferences they hope to have in 2022.




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