Earlier this week, the Red Deer and District Community Foundation celebrated the International Day of the Girl by announcing $165,000 for the Gender Lens Investment on October 11th. 

“It’s an opportunity to invest in local organizations that work toward the improved quality of life for girls, women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse members of our community. Gender Lens Investment is multi-layered; yes, it considers gender but also intersectionality and the knowledge that the colour of one’s skin, or their religious beliefs also plays role in gender equity and equality,” said Krista Nymark, Board Vice-Chair of Red Deer and District Community Foundation in a statement. 

She says when organizations invest in gender equity and equality, there are both social and economic returns according to several studies.  

“In fact, in a report published by Calvert Impact Capital, gender equity could be incredibly transformative for economies, with more that $28 trillion potentially added to the global economy if women were to play an identical role in the labour markets to that of men,” she explained. 

The Red Deer and District Community Foundation hopes to grow the fund as a way to support women, girls, two-spirit, and gender-diverse in Central Alberta and celebrate International Day of the Girl.