Social Advocacy Office

In 2009, the Social Advocacy Office was created to support the Government of Nunavut Tamapta mandate of establishing an office for advocacy and action on behalf of challenged and disadvantaged individuals and groups. The Office is guided in its work by the vision and guiding principles as set out in Tamapta with specific emphasis on improving quality of life and standard of living for those most in need.

The Social Advocacy Office will address the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups within Nunavut society. It supports the development, implementation and evaluation of social policy and social development initiatives which address barriers within the system that prevent full participation in social, economic, cultural, and political life by all Nunavummiut.

The Office focuses on specific groups such as children and youth and people with disabilities as well as on broad indicators of social exclusion such as poverty and homelessness through coordinated and interdepartmental work. The Office will initiate a study of children’s advocacy, working toward the creation of an independent Child and Youth Representative in Nunavut.

The Social Advocacy Office also includes the Government of Nunavut Women’s Secretariat, which is mandated to manage the Status of Women portfolio and integrate specific concerns of gender equality into all government policies, programs and legislation.