The Interministerial Women’s Secretariat has awarded grants to four community organizations to provide programs and projects that will benefit Island women, girls and their families, says Paula Biggar, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.
“The annual grants provide funding to community organizations that provide direct services and programs that enhance awareness, education and social action in our province,” said Minister Biggar. "I look forward to hearing about the progress of these projects and seeing the positive affects they will have on women and girls on Prince Edward Island."
This year, applicants were encouraged to focus on the themes of social media and girls, leadership and girls, and engaging men and boys to reduce and prevent gender-based violence.
More than $65,000 has been awarded for this year’s projects to Women’s Network PEI, the Aboriginal Women’s Association of PEI, the East Prince Women’s Association of PEI, and the Coalition for Women in Government.
“I would like to congratulate all of this year’s recipients," said Minister Biggar. "The projects that were proposed exemplified the themes set out for this year’s Interministerial Women’s Secretariat grants."
Backgrounder
Women's Network PEI: $29,000
Youth Programming that Supports Women's Health, Social + Economic Equality
The priority funded outcomes for this project are two-fold: 1) engaging men, boys and appropriate community stakeholders in exploring the effects of increased access to online pornography on boys’ ability to develop healthy sexuality and have respectful relationships with girls and women and 2) increasing girls’ understanding of ways to use social media to enhance their lives in positive, productive ways and increase their ability to develop and amplify their authentic selves online.
Aboriginal Women's Association of PEI: $15,000
VOICES
The funding is specifically to engage men and boys to create awareness through nonintrusive vehicles that will provide knowledge to address, challenge and assist in authenticating healthy relationships. Activities of this project are one on one interviews, awareness-raising activities, and knowledge sharing. There will be a public report generated that will capture and share the learnings of this project.
East Prince Women's Association of PEI: $10,000
The Slight Edge - A Ripple Effect.
The funding is specifically to provide workshops that will guide girls to become positive leaders and role models in the community and pass on their skills.
Coalition for Women in Government: $14,000
Increasing Girls Leadership in PEI
The project goal is to promote gender equality by engaging Island youth, particularly girls, in grades 10-12 on the topic of leadership. It will provide an opportunity for girls to start thinking about their future leadership aspirations and be encouraged to see themselves as future leaders.