Women

Resources:

The Official Position of the Canadian AIDS Society on HIV Testing of Pregnant Women
HIV Testing of Pregnant Women Position Statement


Questions to Ask Local Candidates

2009 will mark the 28th anniversary of Canada's ratification of the most comprehensive international treaty on women's rights, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Canada ratified it in 1981 with the consent of all provinces and territories.

1. If you are elected, will you and your party take concrete and immediate measures to ensure that Canada fully upholds its commitments to women under this international agreement?

Women and Poverty
Women in Canada who work full-time earn a fraction of what men earn. Also, women are more likely to have incomes below the poverty line because they do significant amounts of unpaid care-giving work.

1. Will you and your party support the implementation of federal pay equity legislation, and the use of social assistance rates across the country so that they exceed the poverty line?
2. Further, will you and your party support the immediate establishment of a federal taskforce on women’s poverty?

Violence against Women

1. What government mechanisms, national standards and policies would you put in place to eliminate violence against women?
2. Shelter and transition houses in Canada still struggle to get enough money to keep their doors open and service all of the women who are fleeing from violence. So that they can meet the needs of women in their community, would you and your party support an annual federal contribution of $50 million to support shelters and transition houses?

Supporting Women’s Organizing
With only 21% of women in the federal Parliament, issues of significance to women do not always get the attention they deserve. Women’s organizations play a vital democratic role in improving the lives of women.

Will you and your party agree to:

1. restore the establishment of core-funding to women’s equality-seeking groups; and
2. increase the Women’s Programme budget (of Status of Women Canada) to $30 million – effectively two dollars for every woman and girl child?

Child Care

1. Will your party support a publicly funded, universal, high quality, inclusive, not for profit child care system for Canada's children from birth to twelve years old?

Sites to Watch:
Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada
Coalition for Women’s Equality
The Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA)