The Canadian Federation of University Women welcomes the opportunity to present its views. We have grave concerns about women's equality in Canada.
As a non-partisan and self-funded organization of 10,000 women graduates from all provinces, we advocate for human rights, justice, peace, education, the environment, and the status of women and girls.
As an NGO, we have special consultative status at the UN and UNESCO.
CFUW is one of 82 national affiliates of the International Federation of University Women. Why is CFUW concerned about women's equality in Canada? I think we can all agree that women's equality is a human right, that our Charter of Rights and Freedoms proclaims that right, and that the issue of women's equality transcends party politics.
The question is, have women in Canada achieved equality? Our current government states that they have and has forbidden government-funded women's groups to advocate on behalf of women's rights.
Let's take a look at one aspect of women's rights: pay equity. CFUW began advocating for pay equity in 1922. Where are we now? In 2007 Canadian women earn on average around 72¢ for every dollar earned by men, while post-secondary-educated women fare even worse, as do disadvantaged women. This economic setback follows a woman throughout her life.
Are Canadian women to accept their lot as economic inferiors? Are they to happily silence their desire for equality? That seems to be the message we got last fall. Well, we think not. As Geraldine Ferraro declared, “We have chosen the path to equality; don't let them turn us around.”
CFUW began advocating for the restoration of the court challenges program in 1992. It was restored, but where are we now? In 2006 the government once again removed funded access to the courts from the disadvantaged whose charter rights may be violated. Everyone deserves justice.
By removing equality from the Status of Women mandate, the government washes its hands of its responsibility to strive for equality rights. Status of Women must hold central oversight for gender analysis and provide accountability to the women of Canada by ensuring gender equality is a priority in our society.
The ban on funding for research and advocacy silences the voices of funded women's groups that provide top-notch research on equality issues, research that CFUW benefits from and values. A democratic government listens to research-based findings. Otherwise, how can it design programs that are relevant and necessary to address the systemic roots of inequality?
Closing 12 of 16 offices and dismissing half the workforce weakens the regional effectiveness of Status of Women Canada, destroys many community networks, and limits women's access to health and advice.
Canada's commitments to CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action, Beijing Plus 5 and Plus 10, and the MDGs map out a map, a path, for social justice. Our international federation's affiliates are expressing dismay about Canada's current disregard for women's concerns--the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Croatia, Georgia, Turkey, and Rwanda. Women in the international community look to Canada for progressive public policy. CFUW urges the restoration of equality to the mandate of Status of Women Canada, the reinstatement of the former funding guidelines, and restoration of cut programs and regional offices. Canada should be a world leader in women's equality.
Thank you.