Supporting Canadians experiencing gender-based violence during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

On this page 

• Objective
• Distribution
• Funded organizations
• Related links 

Objective

Everyone has the right to live free from violence. Unacceptably, too many people in Canada continue to experience violence every day because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. This issue has only been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic in communities across the country. That’s why Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) is collaborating with partners to support Canadians experiencing gender-based violence.

Distribution

Since April 2020, through WAGE, the Government of Canada has committed $300 million in emergency COVID-19 funding to front-line organizations supporting those experiencing gender-based violence.

An initial $100 million in emergency funding was provided in 2020-21 to over 1,200 organizations, including women’s shelters, sexual assault centres and other organizations providing supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence. Because of this funding, more than 1.3 million women and children had a place to turn to access supports.

A further $200 million over two years was committed in Budget 2021 to enhance the capacity and responsiveness of organizations providing gender-based violence supports and services for women, girls, LGBTQ2, and gender non-binary people. This funding is ensuring the continuation of critical and often life-saving services for those in need, both during and beyond the pandemic.

As with the initial funding in 2020-21, WAGE is continuing to work with Women’s Shelters Canada, Canadian Women’s Foundation and the Government of Québec to swiftly deliver these much-needed funds across the country.

View the list of organizations that have been funded.

Funded organizations

As of November 4, 2022, the following organizations received funds to help those experiencing gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related links 

• Government of Canada accelerates investments in shelters, transition housing and other organizations providing gender-based violence supports and services
• Government of Canada provides emergency COVID-19 funds to nearly 1,000 organizations delivering essential frontline supports to those fleeing violence and abuse
• Crisis lines for those affected by gender-based violence
• Snapshot: COVID-19 and gender-based violence