The MATCH International Women’s Fund and Nobel Women’s Initiative called on the Canadian government to fund grassroots women’s organizations—and today, they announced $150 million in funding over five years to support grassroots women’s organizations.
We extend our thanks to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-Claude Bibeau for championing feminist international development and showing the world that Canada truly is a global leader.
We are excited to continue working with the Canadian government to support grassroots women activists making bold change in their communities.
Women’s rights organizers around the world welcomed this announcement.
Julienne Lusenge, co-founder of SOFEPADI, believes that through the fund, “Canada has shown the world that words are not enough—concrete actions are needed. This feminist fund allows us to plan for real, long-term change and not simply for the next six or 12 months.”
Valerie Hudson, professor and author of The Hillary Doctorine: Sex and American Foreign Policy, says this commitment shows that “Canada clearly understands that peace, democracy, and human rights are profoundly impacted when women’s rights are championed.”
The Secretary General of the European Women’s Lobby, Joanna 
Maycock, echoes their thoughts: “The Canadian government’s decision to fund [grassroots women’s organizations] is welcome proof of the Prime Minister’s claim that he is a feminist.”
LEARN MORE
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Leymah Gbowee, meets Canadian PM
Strengthening Women’s Rights Organizations Through International Assistance, Global Affairs Canada report