Violence Against Women Prevention Grant recipients announced

Three Island community groups will receive funding for their efforts to help women feel safe from the threat of violence. The Native Council of Prince Edward Island, the P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government, and P.E.I. Family Violence Prevention Services have been approved for a portion of the province’s $50,000 Violence Against Women Prevention Grant.

The grant provides funding for innovative projects that will enhance awareness, education, and action towards preventing violence against women in Prince Edward Island.

“We are delighted to receive funding to both create and update resources designed to raise awareness and to educate Islanders on violence against women and the services in place to help,” said Danya O’Malley of Family Violence Prevention Services. “Both print and electronic resources will be available on various aspects of violence and its prevention.” Women’s voices are needed at decision-making tables today, said Dawn Wilson of the P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government, another of the groups receiving grant funding. “Too many women – who have the skills, expertise, and ambition for leadership – tell us that harassment and violence keep them from participating fully,” said Wilson. “Our coalition works to prevent and address all barriers to women’s political participation. Funding for this project will allow us to work to eliminate an important barrier: harassment and violence against women in political leadership.”

The Violence Against Women Prevention Grant is administered through the Interministerial Women’s Secretariat, which has provided more than $200,000 in grants to community organizations across the province since May 2015.

“Whether directly or indirectly, violence against women affects all members of our community,” said minister responsible for the status of women, Paula Biggar. “Our main goal is violence prevention, and this grant will help enable and engage community organizations in prevention efforts.”