The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Carol Anne Haley, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, today released details of a stronger and deeper mandate to support women and girls in Newfoundland and Labrador.
In November 2018, Premier Ball appointed the first ever standalone Minister Responsible for the Status of Women for the province and today announced the establishment of the Office for the Status of Women, replacing the former Women’s Policy Office.
The Office for the Status of Women will focus on three key areas:
- The prevention of gender-based violence;
- Stronger gender-based analysis across work carried out by government; and
- Advancing women in leadership roles.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will take an “all of government” approach to all issues that impact women and girls, and will work collaboratively with community organizations and those with lived experiences to ensure government’s response meets the needs of the residents of the province.
As part of The Way Forward, the Provincial Government committed to supporting and advancing the economic and social security of women and girls.
Appointing a standalone Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and establishing the Office for the Status of Woman also delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“The social and economic wellbeing of women and girls is vital to the social and economic wellbeing of our province, and we are taking action to promote both. Meeting our goals will require time and dedicated effort, which is why I established a standalone Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, and then focused and strengthened the mandate of the Office for the Status of Women.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“This is a critical time for our future. Our government will be taking a new approach when we look at those matters traditionally referred to as ‘women’s issues.’ We know these issues are important to everyone and everyone has a role to play in creating the environment we want in Newfoundland and Labrador so that women and girls are able to reach their full potential.”
Honourable Carol Anne Haley
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
“We are pleased to see our government continue to make women in our province a priority. The Office for the Status of Women, with a dedicated Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, can lead the way in collaboration across all government departments towards achieving women’s social and economic equality.”
Paula Sheppard
President/CEO, Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women
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Premier Ball Announces Changes to Cabinet
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Media contacts
Erin Sulley
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
erinsulley@gov.nl.ca
Nancy Hollett
Office for the Status of Women
709-729-4934, 725-6078
nancyhollett@gov.nl.ca