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

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 invested $300 million in emergency COVID-19 funding to over 1,400 front-line organizations across Canada, including women’s shelters, sexual assault centres, and other organizations that provide critical supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence.

Because of this one-time emergency funding, more than 2 million individuals experiencing gender-based violence had a safe place to turn to access supports. This funding has ensured the continuation of critical and often life-saving services for those in need, both during and beyond the pandemic.

WAGE is continuing to work with Women’s Shelters Canada, Canadian Women’s Foundation and the Government of Québec to deliver these funds to support organizations in every province and territory, including those serving Northern, rural and remote communities.

View the list of organizations that have been funded.

Funded organizations

As of October 13, 2023, 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