Canada supports partners focused on preventing gender-based violence

endingGenderBasedviolence; #funding; #WomenDeliverConference; #PHAC

Ottawa, Apr 30 (Canadian-Media): An  announcement was made today by Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary for the Canada's Minister of Health, on behalf of  Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Canada Minister of Health, Government of Canada’scommitment to ending gender-based violence by announcing more than $6.4 million in funding for seven projects aimed at preventing teen and youth dating violence, media reports said.




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Ginette Petitpas Taylor/Facebook

More than $40 million over five years would be made by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) under its Preventing Gender-Based Violence – The Health Perspective Program Investment to support Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence.


Strategies to develop and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships to prevent gender-based violence need to be taught to youth to avoid its immediate and long‑term impacts on individuals, communities and Canadian society.

Funding to design and deliver unique, community-based programs that will equip young Canadians with the knowledge and skills needed to help recognize and prevent dating violence would be received by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, the Calgary & Area Child Advocacy Centre, the Canadian Women’s Foundation, the Coaching Association of Canada, Liard Aboriginal Women’s Society in Watson Lake, Yukon, Planned Parenthood Ottawa, and the Université du Québec à Montréal.

In Canada, nearly 50% of people aged 15 and older who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual report having experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse, compared to 30% of heterosexual people.

In June 2019, Canada will host the Women Deliver Conference, the world’s largest conference on gender equality and the health, rights and wellbeing of girls and women.

During a keynote address to approximately 900 public health professionals at the Canadian Public Health Association’s annual conference in Ottawa, Parliamentary Secretary Damoff emphasized the importance of collaboration across the health sector to address current and future Canadian public health priorities, including supporting and advancing gender equality.
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"Exposure to violence and trauma has significant and long-lasting health impacts, particularly on the developing brains of children and youth. The best way to prevent gender‑based violence and all of its associated risks to physical health and mental well-being is to promote the development of positive, supportive and healthy relationships early in life. Community-based programs tailored to the needs and experiences of youth are essential to building the foundations of equality and respect that will help to end gender-based violence in our society," said Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.  

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