Today, on June 9th 2017, IBCR’s director M. Guillaume Landry is in Ottawa for the launching of Canada’s new International Assistance Policy. According to International Development minister, the Honorable Marie-Claude Bibeau, this policy will guide the government’s international assistance for the following years.

Resulting from more than 40 consultations alongside the canadian government, diplomatic missions, private sector, academics and civil society’s organisations, this policy also stems from more than 300 consultations abroad, in more than 65 countries. In conformity with the ambitions that have been evoked, egality between sexes as well as the autonomisation of girls and women are central elements in terms of poverty reduction. 

Over the next five years, 15% of Canada’s bilateral international development assistance, or $ 150 million, will be devoted to gender equality projects and empowerment of women, fighting against sexual violence and supporting organisations that promote women’s rights in order to improve their capacity of institutionnal inclusion. Finally, half of this aid will be devoted to the countries of sub-Saharan Africa.