Executive Council
January 4, 2012

Significant Year for Women and Girls in Newfoundland and Labrador

During 2012, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Women’s Policy Office, continued its work to advance the status of women to ensure social, legal, cultural and economic equality for all women of the province.

“The Women’s Policy Office has had a busy and productive year,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. “By working with partners in community, industry and government, we have made significant gains for women and girls throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”

In 2012, the Women’s Policy Office continued its work to help ensure that women and other diverse groups share equitably in the benefits associated with the province’s major resource development projects. Women’s employment plans and business access strategies are being negotiated for projects such as the Alderon iron ore mine, Muskrat Falls and Hebron.

It was also an important year for the Provincial Government’s Violence Prevention Initiative. The Women’s Policy Office completed the evaluation of the 2006-12 violence prevention action plan in consultation with Violence Prevention Initiative partners, stakeholders and the general public. Information collected through this province-wide process is informing the development of the new action plan which will be released in the coming year.

As part of the Women’s Policy Office’s violence prevention efforts, the Aboriginal Women’s Violence Prevention Grant Program was awarded again in 2012. A total of $200,000 in funding was provided to nine new projects which address violence against Aboriginal women and children.

Furthermore, Newfoundland and Labrador hosted the annual meeting of Atlantic Canada Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women in October. This forum provided Atlantic Ministers with a valuable opportunity to share information and discuss developments in the social and economic advancement of women in Atlantic Canada, including employment equity, women in leadership, gender-based analysis, women with complex needs, and promoting cyber-safety for young girls.

On October 11, the first United Nations International Day of the Girl, the Atlantic Ministers launched Cybersafe Girl. This initiative provides young girls, as well as parents and educators, with information on how girls experience violence and abuse on the Internet, and more importantly, how to prevent these incidents from happening. The Cybersafe Girl project includes three fact sheets of tips for parents, educators and girls, as well as a website (www.cybersafegirl.ca).

“This has been a remarkable and inspirational year for women and girls in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Johnson. "Women are increasingly climbing the ranks in a number of different sectors.”

In 2012, women continued to advance into leadership positions throughout the province. For example, Assistant Commissioner Tracy Hardy, was appointed the first female commanding officer for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador; Sergeant Stephanie Motty was promoted to become the first female sergeant in Labrador City for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary; Dr. Susan Knight was named the first female chancellor at Memorial University; and Sarah Leo was elected as the first female president of the Nunatisavut government.

The coming year promises to be another important year for women in Newfoundland and Labrador. The year begins with an exciting event where on January 17 women from all walks of life, from all over the province, will come together in St. John’s for Ovations: Applauding the Accomplishments of Women in Our Communities. At this unprecedented event, women will celebrate their achievements, recognize the triumphs of those who came before them, and learn how to support and encourage one another in the future. For more information on this event, visit www.OvationsNL.ca.

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Media contact:
Tracey Boland
Communications Specialist
Women’s Policy Office
709-729-6225, 693-7938
traceyboland@gov.nl.ca

2013 01 04                           11:55 a.m.