Executive Council
April 27, 2010Funding Supports Provincial Women's Organizations
Additional funding contained in Budget 2010: The Right Investments
for Our Children and Our Future to support the work of women's
organizations in the province will assist in improving access and
delivery to community services by women, as well as increase public
awareness of key issues facing women.
"The important work being done in this province to advance the status
of women and improve the lives of women in our communities could not be
done without our community partners," said the Honourable Kathy
Dunderdale, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. "Our partners
are dedicated to advancing the social and economic status of women and
this government is committed to strengthening the necessary and
effective services available to women provided by these groups."
To support violence
prevention work at the community level, the Transition House Association
of Newfoundland and Labrador will receive an additional $30,000 this
year, bringing their total annual grant to $105,000. This will allow
the association to expand and enhance its activities related to program
development and training opportunities for shelter administration and
staff. It will also allow them to complete a review of shelter standards
and provide enhanced services to Labrador transition houses.
The Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women will also
receive an increase of $10,000 to its annual operating budget, for a
total of $451,000. Since 2003, funding to the advisory council has
increased by 72 per cent.
The Provincial Government is also delivering on its Blue Book
commitment to increase the annual funding for the eight Status of Women
Councils by five per cent. The councils will see an increase this year
of $44,000, or $5,000 each, to assist with the daily operations.
"The increased funding to the Provincial Advisory Council on the
Status of Women and to women's organizations around the province will
allow us to increase support, programs and services for women in
Newfoundland and Labrador," said Linda Ross, President and CEO of the
Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women. "The funding will
allow the advisory council to expand our outreach efforts to meet with
the women of our province to better understand individual and community
needs. New and increased funding to organizations such as the
Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network, Transition House Association,
the Status of Women Councils across the province and support for women
in Labrador will enhance their capacity to do the invaluable work they
do."
Investments already announced in Budget 2010 will provide important
support to Aboriginal women and their families. Aboriginal women face
unique circumstances and obstacles within their communities and it is
crucial to have the appropriate tools in place to contribute to their
overall health and well-being. In this regard, $125,000 will help
Aboriginal women develop and deliver a series of capacity building
workshops in several communities on Labrador's coast, and the
Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network will receive $100,000 to address
culturally sensitive issues in their communities, including poverty and
violence. As well, $430,000 is being invested in a new shelter for
Rigolet and expanding the capacity of the shelter in Nain.
"These investments will help to ensure that we remain aware of the
issues facing women and are responsive in addressing and meeting their
needs," said Minister Dunderdale.
- 30 -
Media contacts: