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Executive Council
March 3, 2008

Minister 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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Photo#1:
The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women was joined by members of the 2008 International Women�s Day Planning Committee to proclaim March 8, 2008 International Women�s Day: (back, left to right) Charmaine Davidge and Shelia Ryan, (front, left to right) Gemma Schlamp-Hickey, Minister Joan Burke and Linda Ross.

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

2008 03 03                                                         9:30 a.m.


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