Community programs working with men, boys to tackle gender-based violence to get $811K funding

Five community programs in Manitoba working with men and boys to address gender-based and intimate partner violence have received $811,000 from the province.

"For far too long, domestic violence and intimate partner violence has been framed solely as a women's only issue," but "it is a societal crisis" mainly driven by male perpetrators, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said Wednesday.

Between 2011 and 2021, women and girls in Canada were the victims of 1,125 gender-related homicides — 93 per cent of them committed by male intimate partners or family members, said a fact sheet from the federal government.

"If we truly want to make a difference, then men have to be at the forefront of prevention measures," Fontaine told reporters at a news conference Wednesday. 

Manitoba's NDP government announced the funding on Wednesday,  with the largest chunk, $220,000, going to the Elmwood Community Resource Centre for its Inspiring Men and Boys program. 

The program has worked with 130 newcomers to challenge gender stereotypes, helping men and boys learn strategies to end domestic violence, Fontaine said. 

The organization has hosted local community conversations, creating a safe space where newcomer men can challenge harmful behaviours that can be rooted in their upbringing. 

"[They are] looking at their culture and changing what they thought was normal," said Nina Condo, executive director of the Winnipeg centre. "Those are conversations that are also happening at home now."

The program has also partnered with schools and universities for gender-based violence awareness education, including at recreational facilities, teaching boys and young men about consent, boundaries and unhealthy masculinity.

"We know the root cause of gender-based violence is somewhat the societal norms," Condo said. "We are meeting men where they are at."

Men's programming at the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre in Winnipeg, focusing on fathers and families healing from trauma, is receiving $200,000 from the province, Fontaine said.  

The same amount is allocated to the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre's EmpowerMen initiative, which engages men and boys in education and counselling to prevent sexual exploitation.

The NorWest Men's Relationship Program, which supports male domestic violence victims, will receive $166,000. 

The last part of the funding, $25,000, will go to The Pas Family Resource Centre to support Indigenous cultural education on healthy relationships and addressing toxic masculinity for young men in northern Manitoba.

"To all of our community partners on the front lines of this important work, I see the impact you make on our communities every day," Fontaine said. 

Federal-provincial partnership

The funding is under a bilateral agreement struck with the federal government as part of Canada's action plan to end gender-based violence.

This is the second year of combined funding — $6.2 million from the federal government and $6.35 million from the province — which will go to 19 community initiatives

The cost-sharing agreement is a four-year commitment, and Fontaine hopes funding can be extended later.

She said her counterpart in Ottawa, Women and Gender Equality Minister Marci Ien, is on the same page as the province on this matter, but there's a risk a new government could delete programs and budget line items once it takes office.

"When we look at Manitoba, we have incredibly high numbers of intimate partner violence and gender-based violence and MMIWG2S," Fontaine said. "I would hope that people understand the importance of continuing that project."