News Releases
November 28, 2003
IT'S ABOUT US RECEIVES FUNDING
OTTAWA -- It's About Us - An Organization for and by racialized girls and young women of Victoria, British Columbia will receive a $30,000 grant for a 17-month initiative. The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Victoria, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Jean Augustine, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women).
"This grant will assist girls and young women in developing abilities while sensitizing the public and media to the challenges that they face in smaller urban centres relating to their race and gender," stated Minister Anderson. "This grant will allow It's About Us - An Organization for and by racialized girls and young women to develop a research strategy that examines how the combined impact of race, class, gender, sexuality, language, age, and other forms of discrimination play out in the lives of these individuals."
"These young people are leading the way in their community," said Secretary of State Augustine. "They will offer public education workshops and regional forums on social justice as well as working with the media to increase the understanding of the barriers they face to participating to the fullest extent in their communities."
These girls and women will share their experiences and skills to create dialogues in their community and take action for social change. A support and advocacy network of young girls will be established with other women's organizations and other human rights groups, so that they can have a unique and independent voice in addressing their own issues.
Status of Women Canada is the federal government department working to promote gender equality and the full participation of all women in the economic, social, cultural and political life of Canada.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 budget and is therefore built into existing fiscal framework.
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