Canada commits $1.4 bn globally for women, $700 mn for sexual health

Prime minister Justin Trudeau announces at Women Deliver that his government is “stepping up” while others are stepping back

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday announced that Canada will give $ 1.4 bn in global funding for women and girls of which $ 700 mn will be for sexual and reproductive health. He was speaking at the Women Deliver conference in Vancouver.

The announcement, he said, marks how Canada is stepping up its commitment to ensuring women and girls continue to exercise the right to choose what to do with their bodies even as “other countries are stepping back, playing politics”. The announcement comes a day after he expressed concerns about how women’s rights over their bodies were being brought to question.

Speaking at the opening plenary he had said: “The rights we enjoy in Canada, and the rights so many have enjoyed around the world, are not guaranteed. Progress can backslide. Gender equality is not guaranteed. There is pushback…politicians are giving in…Women routinely face misogyny, discrimination and hate..women’s right to choose what to do with their own bodies is being questioned.” The remarks come in the backdrop of several US states opting for stricter abortion laws.

 “We know we can’t take our foot off the pedal, not even for a moment. I’ll be at the conference to show Canada’s leadership on gender equality isn’t going anywhere…”

The “pushback” against women’s rights remains a dominating theme of Women Deliver this year. “This conference is also a chance to mobilize against those who reinforce patriarchal power structures, reject multilateralism and push-back against gender equality and women’s empowerment. It’s a place where advocates from all sectors of society can unite to push back against the push-back,” said UN Women’s Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Trudeau also spoke about his government’s acceptance of a national inquiry on missing indigenous girls and women that termed the phenomenon a “genocide”. “The Women Deliver conference will be a truly historic week. I look forward to joining many grassroots leaders and advocates who have dedicated their lives to defending and advancing women’s rights,” said Trudeau. “We know we can’t take our foot off the pedal, not even for a moment. I’ll be at the conference to show Canada’s leadership on gender equality isn’t going anywhere, and that we’re not just speaking up, but stepping up too.”