As a sign of their support for the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign, global mining corporation Rio Tinto has donated $25,000 each to two non-profit organizations in the northwest.
The donation is part of a $450,000 total that went to 17 different organizations across Canada.
Ksan Society in Terrace and Tamitik Status of Women (TSW) in Kitimat were two of the recipients of the northwestern stream of funding.
Executive Director of TSW Michelle Martins says that the funding will mostly go toward their anti-poverty program as that is the one service that they provide which does not receive annual funding from the government; which means they do their own fundraising to keep it in operation.
Within their anti-poverty programming, TSW offers essential products like period products, baby care items, general hygiene products and food. There is also their Heather’s Free Store which holds clothing for women and children.
Tamitik also offers counselling and second-stage housing for women and children who are suffering from gender-based violence.
Ksan provides a number of services to assist people in different situations, including their sexual assault support, a transition house for those facing violent situations and their “Stopping the Violence Women’s Counselling Program.”
Throughout the 16 days, Ksan has also been posting information about each day on their social media pages to raise awareness and show how to get involved.
The UN’s 16 days of activism against gendered-based violence begins with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25, and runs until Human Rights Day on Dec. 10. The campaign was started in 1991 to speak out against violence toward women and LGBTQ2+ people.
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