CKRW File Photo
Whitehorse, YT – The Government of Canada is investing nearly $1.5 million to support three Yukon organizations in their efforts to prevent and address gender-based violence.
Announced by Federal Women and Gender Equality Minister Marci Ien and Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, the funding will help the Yukon Status of Women Council, Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre and the Yukon Women’s Coalition.
The Yukon Status of Women Council will receive $560,000 for a project focused on family law processes, while the Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre is granted $627,000 for initiatives targeting allyship against violence.
The Yukon Women’s Coalition receives $299,994 to enhance its capacity to support women and gender-diverse individuals.
According to Yukon Government statistics from 2020, over 50 percent of Yukon residents report experiencing some form of violence since the age of 15. Women are three times more likely than men to be victims of sexual assault.
Indigenous women face three times the violence rate compared to non-Indigenous women, and those with disabilities are three times more likely to experience violence, including sexual assault at a rate over four times higher.
Yukon also reports the highest rates of sexualized and physical violence in the territories.
