Winnipeg, MB – Joyce Bateman, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, invites local organizations to propose projects that will empower women in the region – particularly entrepreneurs and professionals – to succeed.
The Government of Canada will fund these new projects through a Status of Women Canada Call for Proposals entitled Economic Prosperity: Positioning Women for Success. Projects funded under this call will support women by increasing their access to economic and mentoring opportunities, as well as advancing their financial preparedness.
This latest Call by Status of Women Canada is in line with the commitment made by the Government in Economic Action Plan 2014 to support women entrepreneurs by increasing mentorship among women business owners.
The deadline for applications under this Call for Proposals is June 13, 2014.
Quick Facts
· Economic Prosperity: Positioning Women for Success will support projects in three thematic areas, namely: Increasing or strengthening economic opportunities for entrepreneurial and professional women; advancing women in various sectors through mentorship/sponsorship; and collaborating to advance the financial preparedness of women.
· Statistics Canada reports that women represented 47.3% of the labour force in 2013.
· Women accounted for 35.5% of all self-employed workers in 2009, up from 31.2% in 1990 and 26.3% in 1976.
· A 2012 BMO Financial Group study reports that, 71% of Canadian women indicated that they would like to start their own business and 83% of them said having access to role models or mentors would be important to their success.
· Since 2007, the Harper Government has funded more than $54 million for projects that promote women’s economic security and prosperity through the Women’s Program at Status of Women Canada. This includes more than $9 million for projects that help women entrepreneurs. Government of Canada support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 720 projects across the country.