Executive Council
March 3, 2008Minister Marks
International Women�s Week 2008
Women across the province are celebrating
International Women�s Week from March 2-8, a time to recognize the
accomplishments of women and reflect on the work that remains to be
done. This year, the theme is Strong Women, Strong World.
"This theme highlights the necessity of women to be
strong in a world that continues to oppress, segregate and abuse women
in their struggle for equality," said the Honourable Joan Burke,
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. "We have to take a stand
against attitudes that continue to degrade women based on their
appearance, cultural backgrounds or social status, and spread the
message that women deserve to be treated with respect."
Minister Burke noted that community groups such as the
eight Status of Women�s Councils provide vital services to women across
Newfoundland and Labrador and are leading the way in advancing the
status of women. In recognition of their work, the Williams Government
has doubled their funding to $100,000 annually.
In addition, funding has been increased to $389,250
annually to the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women
(PACSW). The council advises the Provincial Government on actions to
advance social and economic issues affecting women.
"To be effective in advancing the status of women, we
must work to meet the needs of all women from all cultural backgrounds
across Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Burke. "We have
provided $20,000 to the Multicultural Women�s Organization of
Newfoundland and Labrador (MWONL) to conduct workshops to address family
law and legal aid, violence prevention and poverty reduction."
The Multicultural Women�s Organization has been
working to identify the challenges and needs of multicultural women
living in this province.
"The funding provided by the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador has allowed us to offer a number of workshops
to assist immigrant women in their transition to life in our province as
well as encourage greater cultural sensitivity in the workplace," said
Yamuna Kutty, President of the MWONL. "We are pleased to note that a
number of these workshops will be taking place during International
Women�s Week."
The highlight of International Women�s Week is
International Women�s Day on March 8. Established in 1977 by the United
Nations, this day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress
made to advance women�s equality, to assess the challenges women still
face, and to consider future steps to enhance the status of women.
"As we celebrate the extraordinary contributions made
by women throughout our province this week, let us also be mindful that
much work remains to be done before women can be treated with equality
and respect in our society," said Minister Burke. "We must work together
to eliminate violence against women, eliminate the wage gap, and
increase the number of women in positions of leadership."
Minister Burke will be in St. John�s on Wednesday,
March 5, to attend the International Women�s Week celebrations hosted by
the Boys and Girls Club and in Stephenville on March 7 to attend an
International Women�s Day luncheon hosted by the Bay St. George Status
of Women�s Council and the College of the North Atlantic.
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