The following is being distributed at the request of the Atlantic Minister’s Responsible for the Status of Women:

Atlantic Ministers Continue to Address Online Safety for Girls

Atlantic Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women met in Prince Edward Island this week to explore more opportunities to collaborate on issues of importance to women and girls, says Valerie E. Docherty, Minister of Community Services and Seniors, Prince Edward Island.

A key issue discussed was the topic of hypersexualization of girls. Hypersexualization is girls being treated or depicted as sexual objects.

“Although hypersexualization can be an uncomfortable topic, it is important that we begin this conversation and provide a credible source for information,” said Minister Docherty. “On our website, girls, families, educators and the community-at-large can access information to better understand the issue.”

Girls are flooded by all types of hypersexual images of girls and women through the media. This includes television, music videos, music lyrics, movies, magazines, video games, the Internet, social media and advertising. These can affect how girls view themselves and others, and how society perceives them, so it is important to be aware of the messages and their potentially negative effects.

“The hypersexualization of girls concerns us as ministers due to its consequences on the physical and psychological impacts on girls," said Marie-Claude Blais, Minister Responsible for Women's Equality, New Brunswick. "These meetings are very important because it is by developing strong working relationships within the Atlantic Region that we can and will continue to better serve women and girls in our four provinces.”

The cybersafegirl.ca website has been expanded with a new section with information on the hypersexualization of young girls.

“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to creating awareness of cyber-safety for girls. The next set of fact sheets for the second phase of the Cybersafe Girl Initiative aims to inform and educate about the effects that hypersexualization can have on the self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image of girls,” said Joan Shea, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“We are pleased to be a part of this collaborative Atlantic Forum of Ministers and Senior Officials responsible for the Status of Women,” said Joanne Bernard, Minister Responsible for the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women. “I welcome the opportunity to be the incoming chair, as we continue to work together to address the diversity of challenges and opportunities common to women and girls across Atlantic Canada.”

The Atlantic Ministers also discussed the conference coming to Charlottetown in September 2014 titled A Bold Vision; as well as issues including engaging men and boys; the Atlantic Workforce Partnership; the next steps for the Cybersafe Girl initiative and exploring emerging issues for women and girls in Atlantic Canada.

Cybersafe Girl is a public education initiative developed by the Atlantic Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women to provide information to girls, families, educators and the community-at-large about how girls can be safer online. Cybersafegirl.ca was officially launched on October 11, 2012, to commemorate the first International Day of the Girl.

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2014 05 27                                     2:30 p.m.