Government of Canada supports projects in British Columbia focused on preventing gender-based violence

Projects aim to address teen and youth dating violence and promote gender equality

VANCOUVER, June 4, 2019 /CNW/ - Violence against women, girls, and the LGBTQ2 community is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violations across the globe. Gender-based violence—including violence against people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression —is a significant cause of harm and a preventable barrier to gender equality. By engaging youth and providing culturally relevant resources and opportunities to learn, we can help foster positive relationships and end teen dating violence.

Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, underscored the Government's commitment to ending gender-based violence by announcing nearly $4 million in funding for four projects in British Columbia aimed at preventing teen and youth dating violence. The Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities (MOSAIC), Réseau-Femmes Colombie-Britannique, the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, and the YWCA Metro Vancouver will receive funding to design and deliver unique, school and community-based programs that will equip young Canadians, particularly youth in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, with the knowledge and skills needed to help recognize and prevent dating violence.

Funding for these projects is provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada and is part of Canada's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. 

The Minister made the announcement during the Women Deliver Conference, the world's largest conference on gender equality and the health, rights, and well-being of girls and women. This conference brings together more than 7,000 world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, and journalists from more than 160 countries, with an additional 100,000 people joining virtually. It is a movement for transformational change, which inspires everyone everywhere to take action.

Quotes

"It is critical that we educate young Canadians about the factors that contribute to gender-based violence and the importance of gender equality so that they build healthy relationships free from violence and abuse. As Canada hosts people from across the globe at the Women Deliver Conference, I am proud to highlight the Government's continued support for projects to end gender-based violence here in Canada. By educating Canadian youth, we hope to prevent violence before it happens."  
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

"Gender-based violence must never be tolerated, and our government is working with survivors, community partners, the private sector and other orders of government to end GBV in all of its forms. By investing in supporting, educating, and engaging youth on all aspects of gender equality, we are creating a healthier, safer society for all. That's why we are announcing this investment today at the Women Deliver 2019 Conference, surrounded by people of all ages, experiences, sexualities, and gender identities, from around the globe, who are seizing the momentum for power, progress, and change."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef
Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality

Quick Facts

• The Public Health Agency of Canada is investing more than $40 million over five years under its Preventing Gender-Based Violence – The Health Perspective program. The program supports Canada's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence.
• Globally, it is estimated that one in three women experiences intimate partner violence in her lifetime.
• In Canada, nearly 50% of people aged 15 and older who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual report having experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse, compared to 30% of heterosexual people.
• Statistics Canada's Victimization of Aboriginal people in Canada, 2014 report found that self-reported rates of violence victimization—including sexual assault—among Indigenous people is more than double that of non-Indigenous people, with the highest rates being among younger Indigenous people aged 15 to 24.

Related Products
Backgrounder – Projects to help prevent teen and youth dating violence in British Columbia

Associated Links
Women Deliver 2019 Conference
Government of Canada Announces Funding to Help End Gender-Based Violence in LGBTQ2 Communities
Government of Canada supports partners focused on preventing gender-based violence
Government of Canada Announces Funding to Prevent Teen Dating Violence in Rural and Indigenous Communities

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

Thierry Bélair, Office of Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991, 1-866-225-0709