OTTAWA, May 25, 2018 – Today’s announcement that the Government of Canada will contribute up to $300-million to fund equality is a visionary step that will bring new capital from philanthropists and the private sector to advance women’s rights and empowerment around the world. The announcement was made by Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau at an event bringing together government, civil society and charitable organizations, the private sector and philanthropic leaders in Ottawa.
“We congratulate Minister Bibeau on this initiative to bring new actors to the table in strengthening Canadian investments in the future of women around the world,” said Julia Anderson, Director of Operations for the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH), who attended the event. “The spirit of collaboration is affirming. This is a strong signal that we are no longer working in silos to advance gender equality around the world.”
Consultations on this unique and innovative financing partnership will take place this summer. Design and development of the platform to invest in global women’s movements and organizations will be led by three Canadian female leaders: Jessica Houssian, Senior Advisor at Women Moving Millions; Sophie Gupta, Principal at Yaletown Partners; and, Jess Tomlin, CEO of the MATCH International Women’s Fund.
The multi-sector, multi-stakeholder approach of the new equality funding initiative mirrors the spirit of the upcoming Women Deliver conference coming to Vancouver in June 2019. The Canadian efforts around Women Deliver, led by CanWaCH and a consortium of organizations, seek to mobilize all Canadian sectors, industries and communities to support the rights, health and well-being of women and girls.
“CanWaCH values gender equality and health as foundational to the empowerment of women and girls and their ability realize their potential,” said Anderson. “This is a further example of how Canada can take the lead on the world stage in support of women and girls.”
CanWaCH will be working closely with Global Affairs Canada to update its membership on the forthcoming consultation on the equality funding initiative.
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Contact:
Charmaine Crockett
Manager, Strategic Communications
Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health
[email protected] | 613-863-9489
