Local Community Advertising
The Canadian government has provided $30 million in funding that has been divvied between at least 500 women's shelters and sexual assault centres in the country.
In early April, the federal government announced up to $50 million for women's shelters and sexual assault centres to support women and children fleeing violence.
Of that, $40 million was given to Women and Gender Equality Canada (WGEC) and the remaining $10 million was given to Indigenous Services Canada's existing 46 emergency shelters on reserve land and in Yukon for Indigenous women and children fleeing violence.
On Saturday, Minister for Women and Gender Equality Maryam Monsef announced $30 million of the funding given to WGEC had been disbursed across the country:
- $20.54 million has been distributed to 422 women's shelters across Canada
- $3 million was distributed to 89 sexual assault centres
- $6.46 million was given directly to the Quebec government to distribute to both women's shelters and sexual assault centres in the province
"Organizations that provide a safe place for survivors of violence are open and ready to provide support and we are deeply grateful for their tireless work at this challenging time," said Monsef in a statement.
"Our first phase of emergency COVID-19 measures has enabled over 420 shelters and 89 sexual assault organizations to stay open and operate with new COVID-safe measures in place. The next phase of our supports is underway.”
In Penticton, the South Okanagan Women in Need Society received a portion of the government funding, dedicated for new equipment to connect remotely with victims and survivors.
“Women and girls facing violence and poverty have been uniquely affected by the pandemic, and we must not overlook the fact that many of the existing inequalities and hardships have become magnified," said Paulette Senior, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Women's Foundation, in a statement.
"Thanks to this funding, women and girls in need can continue relying on timely services which will save lives.”
For more information on organizations that received this funding, click here.
Local Community Advertising