In lead up to Women Deliver, Government of Canada announces funding to support and engage local women’s organizations in British Columbia

May 31, 2019 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department for Women and Gender Equality

Advancing gender equality is essential to growing the middle class, strengthening the economy, and building a healthier, more secure future for everyone. As Canada prepares to host the Women Deliver 2019 Conference, the world’s largest gathering on the health, rights and well-being of women and girls, the Government of Canada continues to work to ensure that local, grassroots women’s organizations and advocates are supported and engaged in gender equality discussions and initiatives.

That’s why today, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, announced over $300,000 for two new initiatives supporting the Women Deliver 2019 Conference, and that help drive real progress for all women in Canada:

  • Battered Women’s Support Services will receive $150,000 to host Feminists Deliver, a concurrent conference and trade show to Women Deliver 2019 taking place in Vancouver from June 3-6, 2019. A collaboration of over 40 not-for-profit organizations led by women, it will showcase community-based responses to advancing gender equality and feature 45 panelists and five keynote speakers. The focus of Feminists Deliver will be diversity and inclusion for people in British Columbia who experience marginalization because of gender.
  • First Nations Health Authority will receive $151,187 to host Nutsamaht Indigenous Women’s Pre-Conference, a one-day conference taking place in Vancouver on June 2, 2019. Featuring 30 speakers and 250 participants from Canada and around the world, this event will raise awareness and foster advocacy through the engagement of Indigenous women and girls of diverse perspectives, strengths, abilities, and sexual and gender identities.

The Women Deliver 2019 Conference is an important opportunity for all Canadians to take action on the work we must still do to make our country and the world a safer, more equal place for women, girls, and people of all gender identities and expressions.

Quotes

“We are in the midst of a critical moment for women and girls. In the lead up to Women Deliver 2019, our government is mobilizing Canadians to advance gender equality in their communities, across the country and around the world. It’s our priority to ensure that all voices are represented, heard and engaged in these efforts. That’s why supporting Feminists Deliver and the Nutsamaht Indigenous Women’s Pre-Conference is so important – so that we can learn from the valuable insights and expertise of community advocates and Indigenous women working everyday on the front lines. By elevating the diverse voices of women and girls in Canada, we will be able to make meaningful progress for all women and gender diverse peoples.”

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of International Development andMinister for Women and Gender Equality

“Our goal is to bring local communities together to share knowledge and build resilience to address discrimination and exclusion based on gender. Through Feminists Deliver, we can connect our local efforts and the more than 40 organizations we represent with national and international campaigns. This funding will strengthen our ability to create positive, transformative change and advance gender equity in an intersectional way at the political and private levels of society.”

Angela Marie MacDougall, Executive Director
Battered Women’s Support Services
Quick facts

  • Canada will host the Women Deliver 2019 Conference from June 3 to 6, 2019, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Held every three years, it is the world’s largest gathering on gender equality and the health, rights and well-being of women and girls.
  • The conference is part of a global movement to promote gender equality worldwide and give voice to a broad spectrum of people, including Indigenous peoples, youth and those living in conflict and crisis settings. It will bring together more than 8,000 individuals—world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, youth and journalists—from more than 160 countries, with an additional 100,000 people joining virtually.
  • The Women’s Program at the Department for Women and Gender Equality supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers.

Related products

Associated links

Contacts

Braeson Holland
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality
343-549-8825

Valérie Haché
Senior Communications Advisor
Department for Women and Gender Equality
819-420-8684

NT5

NationTalk Partners & Sponsors Learn More