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ARCHIVED - RPP 2007-2008
Status of Women Canada


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Section II – Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

To fulfil the Government of Canada’s commitment to building a society that is inclusive and respectful of all Canadians, SWC focuses on the full participation of women in the economic, cultural and social life of the country.

This strategic outcome flows from SWC’s mandate and is strengthened by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canada’s adherence to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

In its support role for the Government of Canada’s efforts to address existing barriers faced by Canadian women, SWC will contribute to the Government’s priorities.

The 2007–2008 program year signals the start of a revised operations framework for both the funding program and SWC’s internal functions, which will influence the nature of its activities and hence lead to a slightly different reporting format for its program activity architecture. However, according to the guidelines, the information that follows remains structured according to the current program activity architecture:

  • Promote equitable public policy
  • Build knowledge and organizational capacity on gender equality
Indicator: Progress in priority areas identified by SWC.

The tables that follow provide more details on how the 2007–2008 program priorities for SWC will be linked to each program activity and sub-activity.

Program Activity 1: Promote equitable public policy

 Financial and FTE resources

a The resources presented are in line with SWC’s program activity architecture, realigned at the 2007–2008 Annual Reference Level Update process. Internal Services resources are allocated proportionately within each program activity.

This program activity focuses on horizontal work by SWC across the federal government, providing policy advice that will enable departments and agencies in applying gender-based analysis when designing and implementing departmental policies and programs.

Expected result: The government develops and implements federal initiatives that narrow inequalities between women and men and expand opportunities for women.

Performance indicator: The number of federal initiatives that significantly advance gender equality.

Sub-activity 1.1: Perform gender-based policy analysis

Financial and FTE resources

a The resources presented are in line with SWC’s program activity architecture, realigned at the 2007–2008 Annual Reference Level Update process. Internal Services resources are allocated proportionately within each program activity.

This subactivity involves influencing the development of public policy in federal policy areas by investing in gender-based analysis capacity-building in, and providing policy advice on gender issues to, other departments and agencies.

In 2007–2008, SWC will provide support to selected departments on targeted and proposed government priorities, thus assisting departments in meeting the specific needs of women domestically. Particular emphasis will be placed on the situation of Aboriginal women and the economic security of particular groups of women who are at risk of not fulfilling their socio-economic potential.

With respect to Aboriginal women, SWC will continue to work with other federal government departments on evidenced-based and culturally relevant policies and programs that address Aboriginal women’s human rights, their socio-economic and legal status such as matrimonial real property and unstated and unrecognized paternity.

SWC will also continue to support the Sisters-In-Spirit initiative by moving into a coordinating role with federal partners on specific projects dealing with public education and awareness, and with public policy in target areas identified and agreed upon in collaboration with the Native Women’s Association of Canada to address the underlying causes of racialized, sexualized violence against Aboriginal women.

Women are a vital economic and social force in Canadian society, experiencing some remarkable changes and significant constants over the past three decades in such areas as higher education and employment. However, changing patterns in immigration and demographics have accentuated disparities among women. In 2007–2008, SWC will continue to advance the federal government’s ongoing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, most of them women and children, by identifying key initiatives with other federal government departments that will directly assist these women and have an impact on their lives.

Expected result: Federal government policies and programs that advance gender equality.

Performance indicator: Percentage of policy recommendations made by SWC that are accepted by federal departments, and the number of effective partnerships that improve outcomes for women.

Sub-activity 1.2: Coordinate federal government activities and report on progress

Financial and FTE resources

a The resources presented are in line with SWC’s program activity architecture, realigned at the 2007–2008 Annual Reference Level Update process. Internal Services resources are allocated proportionately within each program activity.

SWC will take on more of a supporting role with the central agencies, assisting them in their mandated responsibilities to increase accountability for the use of gender-based analysis in policy development throughout the government.

In 2007–2008, SWC will be providing central agencies with advice on integrating gender-based analysis within their current accountability frameworks and mechanisms. The organization will also be supporting those agencies in monitoring and reporting on progress being made by key departments concerning the full participation of women, focusing on key priority areas relevant to Aboriginal women and women’s economic security.

SWC will also continue to participate in some international activities to support Canada as a leader in the world and to share knowledge that advances the full participation of women—for example, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Expected result: Federal departments are engaged in a cohesive, consistent approach to developing and implementing government policies to advance gender equality.

Performance indicator: The number of departments engaged in implementing a new approach to achieving gender equality or creating new partnerships in society to produce improved outcomes for women.

Program Activity 2: Build knowledge and organizational capacity on gender equality

Financial and FTE resources

a The resources presented are in line with SWC’s program activity architecture, realigned at the 2007–2008 Annual Reference Level Update process. Internal Services resources are allocated proportionately within each program activity.

This program activity focuses on developing the knowledge and capacity of a number of stakeholders so that they are better prepared to address gender-based issues of significance to Canadian society in a coordinated manner.

Through its policy research activities, SWC will generate evidence-based knowledge. To that end, it will use trends and gap analysis on gender issues and gender-based analysis, and benchmarking against global best practices. It will also provide advice on gender issues that could have an impact upon the definition of governmental policy and program priorities. Federal/provincial–territorial and international activities will be refocused to inform the policy advice function by identifying international and domestic trends and best practices, and by providing support on targeted events for the Minister and SWC.

This knowledge base will support the Minister’s role in providing guidance on complex policy and programming issues affecting women in Canada. SWC will continue to share its gender expertise with other federal departments and other stakeholders, and will also link these partners to gender policy research experts in Canada.

This program activity also includes the provision of financial assistance to Canadian organizations so that they can carry out projects that facilitate the achievement of SWC’s strategic outcome, support Government priorities and give Canadians value for money. Through this aspect of its second program activity, SWC seeks to advance the full participation of women by increasing knowledge and organizational capacity and by ensuring that women are the direct beneficiaries of project outcomes.

Expected result: Knowledge and gender equality capacity gaps are addressed by federal departments, nongovernmental organizations and others.

Performance indicators: The number of groups taking action on gaps and achieving their stated results.

Sub-activity 2.1: Gather, generate and disseminate gender equality information

Financial and FTE resources

a The resources presented are in line with SWC’s program activity architecture, realigned at the 2007–2008 Annual Reference Level Update process. Internal Services resources are allocated proportionately within each program activity.

This sub-activity focuses on assisting federal departments and agencies in setting up processes and structures in capacity-building and in creating tools to integrate gender-based analysis into their policy and program development activities.

SWC will be generating gender-based knowledge and identifying international and domestic best practices on gender-based analysis in support of the execution of its mandate. In addition to making custom-made gender-based analysis training and tools available, SWC will continue to identify innovative approaches that departments and agencies can use to integrate gender-based analysis into their public policy formulation. Using a phased approach, SWC will continue to work with selected departments and agencies on the creation of sustainable frameworks and accountability mechanisms.

Eventually, all federal policies and programs will reflect gender considerations before decision-making is finalized, which will ensure the removal of existing barriers faced by women.

To maximize its effectiveness in this role, SWC resources are being aligned in 2007–2008 on government policy initiatives focusing on Aboriginal women’s situation and women’s economic security.

Expected result: Integration of gender-based analysis into government initiatives.

Performance indicator: Selected federal departments possess an increased capacity to conduct gender-based analysis.

Sub-activity 2.2: Fund research and community-based action

Financial and FTE resources

a The resources presented are in line with SWC’s program activity architecture, realigned at the 2007–2008 Annual Reference Level Update process. Internal Services resources are allocated proportionately within each program activity.

In 2006, the Terms and Conditions of the Women’s Program were renewed in compliance with the Policy on Transfer Payments. The renewal of the Women’s Program has resulted in changes to the program framework, including the mandate, objective, outcomes and funding recipients. The Terms and Conditions will serve as guidelines for funding projects that have a direct impact on women in their communities.

In line with the SWC priorities, the Women’s Program will continue to work closely with Aboriginal women’s and other organizations on issues such as violence, economic security and self-governance. In addition, contribution funding will continue to the Sisters-In-Spirit initiative to address sexualized, racialized violence against Aboriginal women.

With the posting of the application form on the Internet (http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca), access to program funding will improve across the country.

The short-term and intermediate outcomes of the Women’s Program will be achieved by funding projects that will have the greatest impact on increasing opportunities for women in their communities in key areas such as women’s economic status and violence against women and girls.

Expected result: Knowledge and engagement toward gender equality are enhanced.

Performance indicator: The number of organizations that have achieved their stated funding objectives.