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News Release

Violence Against Women in Focus of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women Meeting in Toronto

June 17, 2010

TORONTO, ONTARIO – June 17, 2010 – Federal-Provincial/Territorial (FPT) Ministers responsible for the Status of Women met in Toronto from June 15 to 17, 2010, for their 28th annual meeting. The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Canada's Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, and the Honourable Laurel Broten, Ontario's Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues.

Violence Against Women

The Forum of Ministers had an opportunity to hear from the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) on their findings and results of the Sisters in Spirit initiative. Ministers commended the NWAC for their tenacity in raising awareness about the critical issue of murdered and missing Aboriginal women. As well, approaches to human trafficking were discussed and the risks facing women, and in particular the vulnerability of Aboriginal women. Ministers recognized the pressing need to take concrete, practical actions to address this issue.

FPT Ministers agreed that addressing the prevalence of violence against women in society continues to be of highest priority and, in particular, violence against Aboriginal women. In reaffirming their commitment to the Iqaluit Declaration, Ministers agreed that it is incumbent upon governments to keep the prevention of violence against Aboriginal women at the forefront of policy agendas.

In order to have responsive policies and programs to address violence, Ministers recognized the importance of up-to-date statistical information that would identify trends. A decision was taken to update the 2006 "Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends Report" and expand it to include the economic cost of violence.

Women's Economic Security and Independence

Ministers explored ways to increase women's economic security and independence and pledged to do further work by:

  • supporting women entrepreneurs' access to markets;
  • sharing promising approaches for women to work in non-traditional fields, such as science, technology and trades; and
  • assessing the use of microcredit.

Ministers also agreed to promote the importance of examining skills and retraining programs from a gender perspective.

G(irls) 20 Summit

A powerful part of this year's meeting was a dialogue between FPT Ministers and the participants of the G(irls) 20 Summit. The Summit is a global campaign to solicit grassroots ideas and raise awareness of the most pressing issues that affect girls and women internationally.

FPT Ministers have met regularly since 1981 to explore ways to achieve equality for women, and to exchange information on issues affecting women in Canada, particularly in the areas of economic security, violence and human rights.

Quebec will host the next meeting in 2011.

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For more information, please contact:

Chris Hilton
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women
613-697-7324

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839

Michel Payen-Dumont
Media Relations Officer
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Telephone: 416-314-7010

Marilyn Hood
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Laurel Broten
Minister of Children and Youth Services
Minister Responsible for Women's Issues
Telephone : 416-212-7433

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

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Date Modified:
2010-06-22