Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth says living a life free from violence is a fundamental human right, but gender-based violence is a significant barrier to achieving that. Minister Marci Ien notes that when we see that 11-million people in this country have experienced intimate partner violence at least once by the age of 15. we know we have to take action. She adds that 11-million is just the number that is reported. She believes it’s much larger than that and states that Indigenous women and girls and equity-seeking communities are disproportionately impacted.

While in Saskatoon today (Tues), Minister Ien announced $20.3 million over four years for Saskatchewan to end gender-based violence. Ien says, “This funding will support the Government of Saskatchewan and its partners to enhance services and supports to victims and survivors of gender-based violence and their families, because we know the domino effect. This is never about one person. It’s families. It’s children. It’s those who support.”

The goal is to support victims, survivors and their families, increase prevention efforts, reach the under-served and at-risk populations and stabilize the gender-based violence sector. Saskatchewan’s Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Laura Ross says prevention is the key so 70 per cent of the funding will go towards education, awareness and prevention. This includes expanding intervention programs, targeting human trafficking, increasing Indigenous-led approaches and continuing to work on the awareness campaign called Face the Issue.

Ross adds that this fall, the provincial government will be sending out a Request for Proposals for organizations to come up with ideas to tackle gender-based violence.