Living a life free from violence is a fundamental human right, unfortunately gender-based violence (GBV) continues to be a significant barrier to achieving gender equality in Canada. It is one of the most pervasive, deadly, and deeply rooted human rights violations of our time that affects people of all backgrounds, genders, and ages.
Today, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, joined by the Honourable Jeanie McLean, Yukon's Minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate, announced a historic bilateral agreement. The Government of Canada will be investing close to $16.4 million over four years to support the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence in Yukon.
This comprehensive plan reflects our shared commitment to preventing gender-based violence, while empowering communities through community-led solutions. The Plan is focused on three priority areas: increasing prevention efforts; reaching underserved and at-risk populations; and stabilizing the gender-based violence prevention sector.
Launched in November 2022 by Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for the Status of Women, the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence is a 10-year plan that sets a framework to have a Canada free of gender-based violence - a Canada that supports victims, survivors and their families from coast to coast to coast. The National Action Plan is informed by over 1,000 recommendations from Indigenous partners, victims and survivors, frontline organizations, and experts.
The Government of Yukon will collaborate with partners and organizations across the province to improve services to victims and survivors of gender-based violence, as well as to their families. There will also be a focus on prevention initiatives that can help address the root causes of GBV and stop violence before it occurs. The investment will also support Indigenous organizations to build capacity and deliver culturally relevant supports. And, it will support the implementation of the territory's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit+ Strategy.
This announcement is among a series of bilateral agreements that are being signed between the federal government and provinces and territories. It is in addition to the funding provided to Yukon last year to support crisis hotlines. These investments will help the Government of Yukon to create and enhance critical programs and supports for survivors of gender-based violence and their families.
Coordinated and collaborative actions from federal, provincial, and territorial governments are key in effectively preventing and addressing gender-based violence. Provincial and territorial governments will continue working in partnership with Indigenous partners, survivors, civil society organizations, front-line service providers, municipalities, the private sector and researchers to implement the National Action Plan within their jurisdictions in a way that responds to the evolving needs of and emerging issues for survivors and victims of gender-based violence.
