Government of Canada supports survivors of gender-based violence in Peterborough and Haliburton

by ahnationtalk on March 5, 2019484 Views

March 5, 2019 – Peterborough, Ontario – Department for Women and Gender Equality

Ending gender-based violence is crucial if we are serious about giving everyone the same opportunities to join and grow Canada’s middle class. We all benefit when women, girls and people of all genders are safe and free to live their lives to the fullest.

Today, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, Minister of International Development and Member of Parliament for Peterborough–Kawartha, announced federal funding to support survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in Peterborough, including people who have been underserved, such as Indigenous women and their communities, children and youth, ethno-cultural women, women who are newcomers, refugees or non-status, and women living with disabilities.

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton is receiving $1 million in funding for their project entitled “Homeward Bound in Peterborough” which will adapt the Homeward Bound model. This model has been successful in several provinces helping women with children in vulnerable situations earn college diplomas, achieve self-sufficiency, and improve their safety and economic security. It will provide them with housing that fits within their income, mentoring and supports, and child care assistance while they complete post-secondary education in high-demand fields.

Last year, Minister Monsef announced more than $50 million in funding for nearly 60 projects in communities across the country, including this one announced today, to support survivors of gender-based violence and their families.

Quotes

“Over 21,000 women and children in Peterborough County count on the services of the YWCA every year. With this investment, we are funding women’s organizations like YWCA Peterborough Haliburton that provide essential services to support survivors and their families. This funding envelope, was developed in partnership with leaders from the women’s sector, whose advice continues to inform Canada’s first Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. Leaders asked for more dollars over a longer period of time to meet the ever growing demand for their services, a simplified application process, and resources to help provide supports for the most underserved and marginalized survivors of gender-based violence. Our government listened. Gender-based violence must not be tolerated, and we will continue to work with survivors, community partners, the private sector and other orders of government to end GBV in all of its forms.”

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Minister of International Development
Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha

“We support the right of all women and their families to live free from violence, poverty and oppression as they build their desired futures. We do this by providing a continuum of services that help women move from surviving to thriving. As a member of YWCA Canada, the oldest and largest women’s social service organization in the country, we advocate for change locally and nationally. We are very grateful for this federal support which, along with our unique local partnership with Peterborough Housing Corporation, will allow us to bring the Homeward Bound program, a proven approach to moving women-led families to economic security, to the women and children of Peterborough.”

Lynn Zimmer, Executive Director
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton

Quick facts

In June 2017, the Department for Women and Gender Equality (formerly Status of Women 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 across government to prevent gender-based violence, support survivors and their families, and create more responsive legal and justice systems.
The Promising practices to support survivors and their families call for concepts is the largest amount of funding ever announced for programming to specifically support diverse groups of gender-based violence survivors and their families.
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 over $12 billion.

Government of Canada supports survivors of gender-based violence in Peterborough and Haliburton

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