The federal government announced on Tuesday that it has earmarked an additional $2 million for organizations nationwide engaged in gender-based violence prevention projects.
Rechie Valdez, the Minister of Women and Gender Equality, says that five of the total 18 funded projects are located in B.C., three in Vancouver and two in Victoria.
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Vancouver-based nonprofit organization Black Buildup, receiving about $80,000 of that amount, say the money comes at the right time.
“Perpetrators of gender-based violence are, we know, overwhelmingly male. So, if you want to stop that violence before it happens, we need men and boys to be part of the solution. It’s not about blaming men, but it’s about empowering positive males,” director Franklin Bouguep said.
He says that Black Buildup, an organization working on educating young male athletes about healthy masculinity and respectful relationships, will expand its educational efforts with the money.
“The immediate outcome for us is that these athletes can identify warning signs of an unhealthy relationship. They can intervene when they are witnessing distressful, disrespectful behaviour,” Bouguep explained.
“They understand things like concerns and communication. So long term, we want them to grow up to become fathers who are modelling healthy relationships.”
He adds that the money will allow at least six additional athletic clubs to join their education model.
“Traditional approaches usually focus on supporting the survivors after the violence has occurred, so this funding recognized that men and boys are essential allies in preventing violence before it happens,” Bouguep added.
The other B.C. organizations are the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology, Mothers Matter Canada, the Victoria International Development Education Association, and the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria.
The federal funding is in addition to previous investments against gender-based violence that now total more than $14 million.
