Safety of Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, and gender-diverse people sees investment in Manitoba
The Government of Manitoba has announced it will invest $20 million in a strategy focused on the spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental well-being of Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, and gender-diverse people.
Nahanni Fontaine, the province’s minister responsible for women and gender equity, said the funding will “empower and protect” those it serves during a recent press conference at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg.
The strategy has been named Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag, which translates to “all women doing well” in Anishinaabemowin.
The province’s NDP government has also expanded its victim services to include a regional domestic violence specialist and expanded partnerships with regional community-based organizations for victims of intimate partner violence.
Manitoba’s new Disclosure to Protect Against Intimate Partner Violence Act is expected to be proclaimed in the coming weeks as well, while a recently reintroduced bill known as Keira’s law would require provincial court judges to take continuing education on intimate partner violence, coercive control in intimate partner and family relationships, and other key topics.
In Canada, a woman or girl is killed every two days, mostly by men they know. About 6.2 million women report experiencing intimate partner abuse nationwide.
A private member’s bill has been put forward in the Canadian Senate, which would declare intimate partner violence an epidemic, something many governments, including Ontario’s, have so far refused to do.
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