Today, at the XVII Francophonie Summit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced significant support for development projects in African countries.

Canada will support the following initiatives:

EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS

Women’s Voice and Leadership in Mali
Strengthening the political, economic and social empowerment of Malian women
$8,000,000 (from 2018–2019 to 2022–2023) – CECI/SOCO/DEVI

The aim of this project is to strengthen the political, economic and social empowerment of Malian women by

• strengthening the institutional, organizational and administrative capacities of associations that advocate for the rights of women;
• building the capacity of these associations to advocate in order to influence policy decisions relating to women’s rights and powers; and
• providing a strategic advisory function to develop the capacity and performance of women entrepreneurs.

SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS

Sexual and reproductive health support for the government of Mali
$20,000,000 (from 2018–2019 to 2022–2023)

(1) $18M for Mali’s Ministère de la Santé et de l’Hygiène Publique and the Ministère de la Promotion, de la Femme, de l’Enfant et de la Famille
(2) $2M for the Unité de santé internationale (CHUM-USI)

This project supports the departmental commitment of $650 million over three years for sexual and reproductive health and rights. The aim of the project is to improve the access of women in Mali – and young girls and teenagers in particular – to high-quality, adapted, holistic, integrated and confidential family planning services. This involves training or retraining community health centres and workers who play a key role in activating requests and ensuring the sustainability of community approaches to sexual and reproductive health. The project will address unmet contraception needs for young people between the ages of 10 and 19, and will promote sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Women’s Voice and Leadership – Senegal
$6,500,000 (from 2018–2019 to 2022–2023)

This project includes technical and financial support to foster the emergence and adoption of innovative practices aimed at building the capacities and practices of women’s organizations in local civil society.

Justice, empowerment and dignity for women and girls – Action against gender‑based violence – Democratic Republic of the Congo
$18,000,000 (from 2017–18 to 2022–23)

The project aims to help reduce gender-based violence through the adoption of socio‑cultural attitudes and standards that respect gender equality, empowerment and the resiliency of survivors, using a holistic approach (medical, psycho-social, legal, and socio-economic reintegration, as well as return to school).

ARNOLD CHAN INITIATIVE FOR DEMOCRACY

This initiative will include the following objectives:

1. Increase the quota of women in the new electoral code
   

   Objective: Increase the political involvement of women in Armeniaby promoting policy recommendations regarding gender quotas and women’s political participation.
   Recipient: Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation
   Funding: $15,000

2. Protection of educational rights of women from ethic minorities

   Objective: Protect the educational rights of Yazidi women and girls in the Armavir and Aragatsotn regions of Armenia by raising public awareness and supporting capacity building for teachers.
   Funding: $21,000

3. Strengthening of democratic process

   Objective: Build the capacity of Armenian youth through informed and inclusive debates
   Recipient: Caucacus Institute Foundation
   Funding: $21,000

4. Participatory governance and development of inclusive policies
   

   Objective: Strengthen participatory governance and the development of inclusive policies within political parties through an awareness and advocacy campaign in Armenia.
   Recipient: “Veles” – Human Rights NGO
   Funding: $19,000

5. Environmental education
   

   Objective: Promote the sustainable development of communities through environmental education in Armenian public schools.
   Recipient: NGO “Tapan” Eco Club
   Funding: $23,000

Related product

• The Prime Minister concludes a successful visit to Armenia and his participation at the XVII Francophonie Summit