Canada announces funding for women and girls’ health and rights, and gender equality at 2023 Women Deliver Conference
July 21, 2023 | Vision Newspaper |
Earlier this week, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, and Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West, took part in the 2023 Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. While at the conference, they participated in many events and had the opportunity to meet with other policy leaders, activists, women’s rights organisations and youth, to highlight Canada’s continued leadership and support for them to advance gender equality and comprehensive SRHR, including support for victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
During a panel discussion on SRHR, bodily autonomy and abortion rights, Minister Sajjan announced more than $200 million in funding for new projects.
During a side event to discuss strategies to end child, early and forced marriage, co-hosted by the Government of Canada, UNFPA, UNICEF, and Girls Not Brides, Minister Sajjan announced an allocation of $35 million, as part of the $200-million SheSOARS package, for the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage, and $3 million for the Girls Not Brides project.
At a reception with MSI Reproductive Choices, MP Kayabaga announced a $10-million allocation for MSI for the “Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights project” – also part of Canada’s SheSOARS initiative – to help reach thousands of women and girls in Africa, Asia and Latin America each year with lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services.
During a pre-conference event on strengthening care policies, MP Kayabaga announced $25 million in funding for a project, in partnership with the International Development Research Centre, that will work directly with women leaders, local experts, and local institutions to scale up solutions for women’s unpaid care work. She also announced $5.2 million for Oxfam Canada’s Time to Care project, which addresses gender norms and supports progressive care policies.
“I appreciated this opportunity to exchange and share the stage with policy leaders, women’s rights organisations and youth advocates who are dedicated to standing up for SRHR. Gender equality and protecting SRHR are critical to advancing all of our development goals. We must continue to work together to uphold and promote the rights of women and girls. And this must include their sexual and reproductive health and rights.” – Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
“As we face global crises, it is imperative that we continue to work together on empowering women and ensuring gender equality. We stand to learn so much from each other, especially from girls, women’s rights organisations and local communities, about protecting and advancing the rights of women and girls in all their diversity.” – Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
“I was pleased to see the many new initiatives take shape, leading to more investments and stronger partnerships. I am committed to continue advocating for pathways to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, in Canada and everywhere. Women deserve the right to choose for their bodies and as a leader, it is our duty to protect these essential human rights.” – Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West
SOURCE Government of Canada
