Yesterday in Vancouver, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Equality Fund, a new fund designed to better support domestic and international women's organizations. Through innovative partnerships and financial models, the Equality Fund will mobilize funds from granting, philanthropic and investment sources. With an initial investment of $300 million from Global Affairs Canada, the fund is expected to mobilize more than $1 billion in resources over the next 15 years in support of gender equality both in Canada and globally.
Congratulations to all of the groups involved in this new initiative. Long-term and predictable funding for women's rights organizations is crucial to growing sustainable movements at the local, national, regional and international levels. This support will help build solidarity and linkages between local and global efforts to advance gender equality and support the realization of human rights.