Celebrating Women's Equality this Week

Nova Scotians are celebrating women's progress towards equality through events across the province in the week of March 5-11. International Women's Day is March 8, and, every year, the number of celebrations increases in this province.

"This week, we celebrate the achievements of Nova Scotia women," said Judy Streatch, Minister responsible for the Status of Women. "Women who are making outstanding contributions in both traditional and non-traditional fields, like filmmaking and politics."

The Advisory Council on the Status of Women is holding four events to mark International Women's Day.

In Halifax, a screening of short films by Nova Scotia women filmmakers takes place at Park Lane Cinemas on Wednesday, March 8, beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is a donation to Phoenix Youth Programs' Parent Support Program.

In Amherst, an annual luncheon for women and their families takes place on the same day, and freewill offerings will be donated to Autumn House, a transition house.

In Bridgetown, the advisory council and Women's Place Resource Centre are hosting a wellness day titled A Day in the Tropics. Women in the area will enjoy a day of healthy relaxation.

A ceilidh celebrating International Women's Day will also take place in Judique on Saturday, March 11, at 6 p.m.

"The advisory council is celebrating our work in women's political involvement, in promotion of work in non-traditional fields, and in ensuring that women, in all their diversity, are included in all aspects of society," said Sonja Power, chair of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

It has been 25 years since Canada signed the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). CEDAW is the most comprehensive international treaty on women's rights. An international bill of rights for women, it defines discrimination against women and sets an agenda for national action to end that discrimination.

The Advisory Council on the Status of Women works with organizations inside and outside government to reduce or eliminate gaps between the law and women's lives. The council is especially committed to work relating to women's work and income, their inclusion in society and in decision-making, health, well-being, and the elimination of violence against women.

Some listings of International Women's Day events in Nova Scotia are available on the advisory council's website at www.gov.ns.ca/staw . The site also features the council's statistical publications, reports to federal, provincial and municipal governments and other information useful to women.