Minister Hajdu launches the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence by announcing support for women’s shelters

November 24, 2016 – TORONTO, ON – Status of Women Canada

The Government of Canada believes that women and girls in our country deserve to live free of violence. Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women, announced that the Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses (CNWSTH) is receiving funding for a three-year project to improve support for women who experience violence. The grant of $1,045,000 is the largest that the organization has ever received from Status of Women Canada. The announcement was made at Interval House in Toronto, on the eve of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Through this project, CNWSTH will examine the multiple roles that shelters play in supporting and protecting women who are victims of violence. They will also develop a comprehensive national profile of shelters, which will include reliable and current information on shelter capacity, scope of services, funding, infrastructure and human resources. Shelter representatives will be engaged in a national dialogue on the future of the shelter sector, and will be organized to share knowledge and positive practices.

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“Gender-based violence remains far too common in Canada and is a major barrier to achieving gender equality. The Government of Canada is taking action to prevent and address this violence by supporting projects like these. We are also developing a comprehensive strategy that will strengthen the federal government’s overall approach to preventing and addressing gender-based violence.”

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women

“In a country that continues to struggle against gender-based violence, it is impossible to over-estimate the importance of women’s shelters. They provide safety and key services to women and their children allowing them to begin rebuilding their lives. This Government of Canada funding will allow us to take stock of shelters across the country and to engage in an inclusive national conversation with shelters in all provinces and territories on how shelters of the future can best respond to the needs of the women and children they serve.”

Manon Monastesse
Co-Chair, Canadian Network of Shelters and Transition Houses

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses (CNWSTH) is receiving $1,045,000 for a three-year project to enhance support for women who experience violence.
• The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence start on November 25 with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and run until December 10, with International Human Rights Day. The 16 Days also include the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6.
• During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Government of Canada is urging Canadians to reveal the link between sexism in our culture and gender-based violence by joining the conversation online and using the hashtag #ActionsMatter.

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