On Sept 8th MOSAIC staff were invited to Status of Women Canada’s official funding announcement of more than $2.2 million for gender equality projects in British Columbia. MOSAIC was one of seven organizations that received funding. The announcement was made by the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, along with the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada at the Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle Hotel with media present.
MOSAIC’s project, Equal Press, will increase gender diversity in news media in Vancouver, as well as address issues of discrimination, stereotyping, and lack of representation of women as experts in news media. Project staff at MOSAIC will work on developing and piloting a culturally-sensitive gender framework for news media organizations reporting on violence against women that will identify gaps and promising practices for the media. Assisting in this project are three women leaders who will provide their expertise and share their knowledge on issues related to gender equality: Gisela Ruebsaat, Ayesha Chaudhry, and Joan Anderson.
The announcement was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by the Minister for Status of Women, between some of the women leaders. Ayesha Chaudhry, representing MOSAIC and the Equal Press project, spoke as a panel member on the importance of working from an intersectional framework while utilizing privilege to advance the needs of those who are marginalized.
MOSAIC staff members who attended the announcement were inspired by all the strong women leaders in the room and are looking forward to developing and implementing the Equal Press project in the upcoming three years. More information about the project will soon be available; stay tuned!
Status of Women Canada promotes equality for women and their full participation in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
