A greater awareness of the use of gender analysis and the positive impact it can have on women is being developed across the public service. The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Minister of Education, reported today that a second training session for government employees on the use of gender-based analysis was recently completed.

"I would like to recognize all public service employees who have attended this training," said Minister Burke. "Employees now have a greater understanding of how to analyze public policy to ensure circumstances unique to women are fully explored."

Gender-based analysis challenges the assumption that everyone is affected by policies, programs and legislation in the same way regardless of gender. Successful analysis makes it possible for policy development with an appreciation of gender differences, the social and economic circumstances unique to women and the challenges and barriers women may experience to being able to share equally in opportunities in the province.

The Women�s Policy Office has guidelines that are available throughout government to help government departments and agencies, as well as community partners, conduct this type of analysis.

"While it is essential that materials for analysis are made available, it is equally important that employees receive training about the resources and how they can best be used," said Minister Burke.

Gender-based analysis training helps employees compare how and why women and men are affected differently by policy issues. Participants learn how to conduct gender equitable consultation and research, provide equitable program and service design and delivery, as well as how to evaluate programs and policies for gender equality.

"This government is working diligently to advance the status of women in Newfoundland and Labrador and implementing gender-based analysis in all public service activities is a critical component of our success on this front," said Minister Burke.

In addition to employee training, government provides $10,000 annually in non-repayable grants to equity seeking groups for activities and initiatives, and $75,000 annually to each of the eight Status of Women councils in the province.

Government�s six-year, $7.2 million Violence Prevention Initiative is working to advance the status of women by addressing the problem of violence. The Initiative is a multi-departmental, government-community partnership to find long term solutions to combat violence.

Media contact:
Michelle Hynes
Communications and Policy Research Analyst
Women�s Policy Office
709-729-6225, 693-2125
michellehynes@gov.nl.ca

2007 04 10                                           2:15 p.m.