Minister proclaims October as Women�s History Month

Yvonne Jones, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, is encouraging all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to celebrate Women�s History Month in October. This year�s theme for Women�s History Month is What do you mean, women couldn�t vote?

Established in 1992 by the Government of Canada, the objective of this special month is to raise awareness about the status of women�s equality and their contributions to Canadian society. The month of October was selected to commemorate the Persons Case decision in October 1929, which represents a landmark victory in the struggle of Canadian women for equality. Through an appeal by five Canadian women to the highest court in the British Empire, women were declared "qualified persons" under the British North America Act. This Act governed Canada at the time and the change allowed women to be appointed to the Senate and paved the way for their participation in other aspects of public life.

"Today, the lives of Canadians are filled with many examples of the gains that women have made throughout history," said Minister Jones. "Women have access to higher education; they can earn money and own property; have the right to counseling about, and the use of, contraception; and the right to vote and to run for elected office. However, sometimes we forget that our foremothers had to fight for these liberties and rights."

Women�s History Month is an ideal opportunity to encourage young Canadians to look back at the past, understand how far we�ve come and highlight the contributions made by women from all walks of life to our communities. It is also a time to explore how we all benefit today from the quest for women�s equality.

"We need to ask the question - what would it be like if no one had ever stood up for women�s rights?" said Minister Jones. "For example, within this province, women advocated to secure services for women and children who were victims of violence and their efforts led to the establishment of emergency shelters and other, much needed, support services. Women have also been the driving force behind the introduction of family friendly workplace policies which benefit all employees."

Women�s History Month also provides an opportunity to focus on where inequities still exist and to discuss what needs to be done. As the primary caregivers for children and the elderly within families, women do not always have equal access to educational and employment opportunities. Women who work full-time, full- year earn only 70 per cent of their male counterparts, partially because of their concentration in a narrow range of low paying occupations, as well as part-time employment. Women are also the majority of the victims of violence. All of these factors and many more affect the equality of women just as significantly as the right to vote.

A high point of Women�s History Month is Persons Day on October 18 when the Governor General�s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case are presented to six recipients (including one youth) who have helped advance the cause of equality for girls and women in significant and substantial ways in their communities. Past Newfoundland and Labrador recipients include Nancy Riche, St. John�s; Phyllis Seymour, St. John�s; Ruth Flowers, Makkovik; Morag O�Brien, St. John�s; Dorothy Inglis, St. John�s; Frances Laracy, Conception Harbour and Ella Manuel, Bonne Bay.

Media contact: Kelly Foss, Women�s Policy Office, (709) 729-6225.

2003 10 01                                       10:20 a.m.