January 31, 1996
(Executive Council)

Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women meet in Charlottetown

Atlantic Ministers for the Status of Women announced a number of decisions after meetings were held in Charlottetown January 30. Talks centred around several issues affecting women, including work place safety, education accessibility, and the enforcement of maintenance payments.

"The issues addressed today are not isolated to one province, but are shared throughout the Atlantic region and indeed across the country," said Jeannie Lea, minister responsible for the Status of Women on PEI, and host of the meetings. "It is much more effective and efficient if all four Atlantic provinces have a common position and are committed to implementing the recommendations made here today."

Ministers decided to develop strategies to more effectively collect and use information about women in Atlantic Canada to influence social and economic policies and programs.

Recommendations include a shared commitment by all four provinces to produce an Atlantic publication on personal safety in the work place.

A recent survey indicates 10 per cent of violence against women occurs in the workplace," said Eleanor Norrie, Nova Scotia's Status of Women Minister. "Awareness and education are key to preventing work place violence. Newfoundland will coordinate the production of material for awareness and education purposes."

Marcelle Mersereau, Minister of the Status of Women in New Brunswick, tabled a report on the enforcement of out-of-province orders for maintenance. Ministers will urge simplification of the procedures that delay payments between parents living in different provinces.

"We are concerned," said Mersereau, "that improvements be made in enforcement of out-of-province orders. This is important in today's mobile society."

Education was also on today's meeting agenda, specifically gender equity in mathematics education. The ministers agreed to support Ministers of Education in each province in curriculum development and classroom delivery that reflects gender differences and needs.

"Although girls and women continue their education and training for at least as long as boys and men, their educational decisions still tend to limit their career options which, in turn often limits their income," the ministers concluded. "It is important we encourage women to stay in science and mathematics, with curriculum and teaching practices helpful to girls and women in these fields.

The Atlantic ministers plan to take their recommendations to the federal, provincial and territorial meeting of the Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women in Winnipeg in May.

Contact: Cindy Christopher, Public Relations Specialist, Women's Policy Office, (709) 729-5730.