Hello. My name is Brigitte Ginn, a CRIAW board member and recently elected chair of the communications committee. With me is Jane Stinson, the director of the FemNorthNet project. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you today about improving economic prospects for young women in Canada.
I would first like to acknowledge that we are on Algonquin territory and say meegwetch to them for sharing their land with me today.
CRIAW, the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women, celebrated its 35th anniversary this year, building on our long history of documenting the economic and social situation of women and young women in Canada through groundbreaking research.
I will begin with a story about myself that tells you of the struggles and the challenges I faced growing up as a young woman. My mother raised me and my two siblings alone at a young age. She was forced to work as much as she could just to make ends meet. We were always well fed and had a good roof over our heads because she worked so hard, always putting her children first. By doing so, she neglected her own needs and health. This is a common story faced by many women. We were part of that high percentage of single-mother families who lived in poverty in Canada.
When I was 18 years old I decided to go to university in women's and aboriginal studies. During those four years I realized that injustice, racism, and sexism were still well alive in Canada. During that time I survived an abusive relationship and violent, racist, and sexist assaults from male students right here at the University of Ottawa because I was of aboriginal ancestry and a young woman studying in both these fields.
Today I am 22 years old, a feminist, and recent graduate who is in debt because I chose to attend university, and who cannot find a job in my field because of cuts to research and public services. I'm a young woman who's left wondering about where I fit in within this current economy. This story is one of many examples of the constant struggles by young women. One just needs to look at the unemployment rate for young women as an example.
Our government and its policies regarding young women have a negative impact on our education, health, and employment. For example, high tuition and job cuts to public services and research harm young women and exacerbate their social and economic inequality. Therefore, we continue to struggle for recognition of our right to be part of our growing economy, shaping policies, programs, and laws that directly affect us.
The story I've shared with you today is just one account of how many young women are still struggling with poverty, violence, and injustice, undermining their self-worth and potential. Many women today are left to reclaim their heritage, identity, culture, and land. This is especially the case for aboriginal women.
We recognize that we need to revitalize our traditional ways that were lost because of colonization. In order to better our people and our communities, and regain the equilibrium we once had, our government needs to provide space and funding for women to develop their leadership potential and build specific skills necessary in our communities, careers, and our personal lives. Promoting the participation of these women in economic, social, and cultural life across Canada is needed. Our future depends on it, because women are at the heart of the community. If you want a thriving and stronger Canada, then young women must be fully involved.
We cannot but emphasize how important it is for our government to continue to fund national research and action on gender equality. For example, a group of young women have come together at CRIAW as a youth caucus, focused on reaching out to other young women and encouraging them to get involved. We refer to this committee as the engagement, communication, and outreach team--ECO. This team has accomplished many things, with the main focus on introducing social media tools to promote youth and indigenous engagement to CRIAW. I am now chair of this committee. Our team has provided me with an opportunity to develop work-related skills, leadership skills, individual and collective work, and decision-making.
ECO Team shows the important role that CRIAW plays as a women's organization to help improve economic prospects for young women in Canada. Our ideas and the caucus continue to grow, but the lack of funding makes it difficult for us to respond readily to current issues faced by young women.
To create a balanced economy benefiting from innovative input and solutions, it is of utmost importance to have an organizational refuge where young women can speak freely, comfortably, and safely, where women can share their experiences, ideas, and dreams, all in the hope to better women's lives. CRIAW is exactly that place that creates spaces for developing women's knowledge and actively working together to promote and advance social justice, equality, and a sustainable economy for all.
Thank you.