Toward Better Services for Abused Women

An affirmative action agreement signed today between Bryony House and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission will help to promote better services for battered women and human rights in the workplace.

"All Nova Scotians should have opportunities for employment and access to services regardless of race, gender or disability," said Jim Smith, Minister responsible for the administration of the Human Rights Act. "By signing this agreement, Bryony House recognizes the need to foster access to employment opportunities. The agreement also recognizes that women need services that work for them."

Currently, there are 29 affirmative action agreements between the commission and public and private sector partners in Nova Scotia. Affirmative action agreements are provincial government programs aimed at addressing discrimination faced by women, visible minorities, aboriginal people and people with disabilities.

"We recognize that the benefits of affirmative action include not only a more representative workforce, but an improved ability to support the women who require our services," said Cathy Love, director of Bryony House, a 24-bed Halifax shelter for battered women and their children. "Services to abused women who face added barriers when seeking assistance must be improved.

"Immigrant women, black women, disabled women and aboriginal women have found it difficult to obtain services. The Bryony House board and staff have made a commitment to address the gaps in services to women from diverse groups."

Some highlights of the agreement with Bryony House include:

• identification and elimination of barriers that may deny equal employment opportunities to under-represented groups

• continued efforts to provide outreach services and programs to visible minorities, aboriginal people and the disabled community

• ensuring that all hiring, training, development and work assignments for Bryony House staff comply with the province's Human Rights Act.

"Through affirmative action agreements, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission can promote human rights in the workplace and encourage employers to develop better workplaces for everyone," said Maureen Shebib, the commission's acting executive director.

The year 1998 marks the 20th anniversary of Bryony House.