Budget 2023: Urge support for women peacebuilders


Women Peacebuilders
Women peacebuilders

Last year, the federal government took a step toward fulfilling a promise it made during the 2021 Throne Speech. That promise was to increase Canada’s international assistance budget each year, and invest in sustainable, equitable, and feminist development that benefits the world’s most vulnerable and promotes gender equality.  

In its last budget, the government increased its international assistance envelop (IAE) from $7.6 billion in 2021/2022 to $8.2 billion. It is a step in the right direction, but it remains exceptionally low when compared to the contributions of other countries like Norway. Canada’s IAE remains about half the international standard of 0.7 percent of Gross National Income, or less than one penny for every dollar.  

Where this funding is allocated is important too. Funds targeted to grassroots women’s organizations and movements are essential for effective peacebuilding and sustainable development. 

In the lead up to Budget 2023, please join us in urging the government of Canada to increase its IAE by $0.6 billion above the current financial commitments to reach a minimum of $10 billion in the 2025 budget and to ensure this funding reaches grassroots women’s rights and peacebuilding organizations.

We believe that Canada, as a high-income country, has an obligation to support low-income countries in their efforts to build solid foundations for peace, wellbeing, equity, human rights, and resiliency.  

We know that women are impacted disproportionately by the climate crisis. They are also the ones at the forefront of climate action thanks to their local knowledge, relationship with the environment and regenerative practices in agriculture. As Canada has also profited from industries that impact the Global South through overseas extraction projects and greenhouse gas emissions, it has a duty to provide financial assistance to overseas communities committed to sustainable peace and development.  

That is why we also urge the government to increase climate finance commitments from $5.3 billion over five years to at least $1.8 billion annually to the Global South, and to ensure that this funding is gender-responsive, supports racial justice and prioritizes funding for grassroots women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations. 

We know that women are the key to building back better, and that Canada has a world-class Feminist International Assistance Policy that requires funding. 

We ask the government to increase its IAE to reach the international standard by 2030, meet its international climate commitments and ensure that funding reaches grassroots women’s rights, Indigenous and peacebuilding organizations.  

Take Action Today! 

Write to your Member of Parliament 

Simply fill out your contact details and submit this letter to your MP. A copy of it will automatically be sent to the Ministers of Finance, International Development, Foreign Affairs, Environment and Climate Change, and Women and Gender Equality and Youth. 

We are hoping to send at least 500 letters to the government before March 15th. Please send your letter today.


Filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Global South, Indigenous Rights

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