$40M in gov’t funding for women’s sector in Canada

The women’s sector is getting federal funding to reduce barriers and advance gender equality.

Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien has announced up to $40 million for 170 women’s and Indigenous women’s organizations.

In a release, Ien states, “Breaking down barriers to advance gender equality demands collective action that values diverse voices and experiences. Women’s and Indigenous women’s organizations are at the forefront of this work, driving transformative change. By giving them the support they need, they can tackle systemic barriers so that everyone can meaningfully participate in Canada’s economic and social growth. ”

The government says 86% of gender-equality seeking organizations in Canada experienced an increased demand for programming and/or services between 2015 and 2020, but 57% had to cancel programming or services, or shut
down for a period over the same time frame due to a lack of resources.

Women’s wages have grown steadily since the 1990s, but disparities persist. In 2023, women in Canada earned 0.88 cents for every dollar earned by men, suggesting a gap of 12%. The pay gap is wider for: racialized, Indigenous and immigrant women.

Read the list of organizations to receive the Women’s Capacity Fund here.