Telus said Thursday it launched a program offering free smartphones and data plans to indigenous women at risk of, or surviving, violence in Quebec.
The Mobility for Good for Indigenous Women at Risk is part of Telus’s Connecting for Good programs and will partner with Quebec First Nations Women’s Space, an organization created by Quebec Native Women to “act as a front-line responder and point of entry to reception, referral and listening services for Indigenous women in Quebec experiencing violence,” a press release said.
“Through this partnership, TELUS and QFNWS will provide women with a vital lifeline to emergency services, reliable access to virtual health and wellness resources, and a way to stay connected to their friends, family and support networks. To date, this program has supported thousands of Indigenous women nationally,” the release added.
The telco cites a report stating that while indigenous women only make up 4 per cent of the Canadian female population, women and girls represent 24 per cent of female homicide victims, and are 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing than any other women in Canada.
“With the launch of this new program in Quebec, TELUS is taking a concrete step toward reconciliation,” Marjolaine Étienne, president of Quebec Native Women, said in the release.
“Reliable cellular connectivity provides Indigenous women and girls with critical access to services that support their safety and well-being,” Etienne added. “This marks a significant step forward in our efforts to provide inclusive anti-violence services by and for Indigenous women while identifying solutions to help ensure they have quick access to the essential emergency services and community programs they need.”
Telus’s Connecting for Good programs has provided over 460,000 individuals in need with various forms of support, including free devices, internet and mobility plans, and health care services.
Screenshot from YouTube video by Telus
