The N C W C Newsletter MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Last week the NCWC Board met by conference call to plan for the Annual General Meeting, which will take place at the Extended Stay Hotel in Ottawa, June 6-8

th. The

theme will be “Shining a Light on Mental Health and Stigma”. The keynote speaker at the Education Fund lunch on Saturday will be Heather Stuart, Bell Canada Chair of Mental Health and Stigma at Queen’s University. As we do in alternate years, this will be a ”no- frills” AGM, meaning that we make an extra effort to pare down activities and hence the cost of the event. All rooms in the Extended Stay have a kitchenette so anyone wishing to plan a holiday around the event can do so at a very reasonable rate. There are many activities available in the capital in June, and the hotel is central. I urge you to write the date in your new agenda and start planning your trip! The AGM packages will be sent out in the first week of March.

The NCWC fraud case, which we discovered in 2010, finally came to an end last week at the Ottawa Courthouse, when our former employee was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for defrauding us and a further four months for the abduction of her child, for whom she did not have custody. She received a further three years on probation, during which she is not allowed to contact anyone who was on NCWC Board. We also received a civil judgement in the amount of $80,500 restitution should she ever be in a position to pay us.

This year we have seven members registered to attend the 58th U.N. Commission

on the Status of Women in New York, March 10-21st.

Under the joint leadership of Mary Scott and Daniela Chivu, our Citizenship, Global Affairs and Citizenship Convenor, the members are Vi Andersen, Sue Calhoun, Chita Chopra, Bonnie Destounis and Ellen Gould. We are in the process of drafting a joint oral statement, to be delivered at the CSW, with CFUW about the importance of education for Aboriginal women, as a way out of poverty. This is an issue not only in Canada but around the world. This will be Mary Scott’s seventh CSW; follow her blog at http://csw2014.blogspot.ca/

The International Council of Women delegation will be led by the ICW President, Cosima Schenk, it will be a great opportunity for both delegations to meet.

Beverley Colquhoun is beginning the re-design of our website. Our present site is ten years old. In a decade there has been a lot of progress in technology. Beverley assures us the new site will be easier to manage and is a chance for us to add new features such as an Archive section.

On January 15th, we sent a letter to the Prime Minister, based on our policy of 2007,

relaying our concerns about the Senate and the need for its reform. We asked for more diversity to reflect the Canadian population and a more thorough review of appointments and length of tenure.

Lastly, there are many issues in the news these days. If something is bothering you, please check if we have policy or if we need an update, it is not too late to submit an emerging issue resolution. We need to hear from you!

Denise Mattok President, National Council of Women of Canada ncwc@magma.ca

February 2014 Volume 14, Issue 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

President’s Message…...…………….......1

NCWC Education Fund/NCWCDO…2

Local Councils…………………....………. 3

Provincial Councils & NOS.….........4-5

NOS & Standing Study Committee...6

Regional Council of Americas……..7-9

Women’s Issues……………………….10-11

NCWC March Resolutions…………….12

NCWC has worked for 120 years to improve the quality of life

for women, their families and communities

www.ncwc.ca www.facebook.com/thencwc

ncwc@magma.ca

REMINDER: Please distribute

our newsletter to your members.

Spread the news!

NOTICE

NCWC AGM—Ottawa

June 6-8, 2014

NCWC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION

The NCWCDO was established by the National Council of Women of Canada in 1985. It is a Registered Charitable Organization dedicated to the advancement of women and girls in Third World countries and Canada. Funds are raised to support projects

that address education and skills that will improve the life of women and children through basic education and skill training. In addition, projects that will protect children and young women from physical, sexual and mental abuse are strongly supported. In the past 25 years the NCWCDO has supported programs around the world.

Donations toward these GRASS ROOTS projects have shown a positive influence in the communities. The NCWCDO aims to fund small local initiatives that contribute to the empowerment of women to become self sufficient and to the prevention of crimes and abuse against women and children. Volunteers, predominantly women play a significant role in all projects.

A small donation toward these programs has lasting impact. Please consider supporting this non-profit National organization. Let us help those who are less fortunate and those who suffer daily from mental, physical or sexual abuse. We are fortunate but must remember to look outside our community where innocent young children and girls are suffering and often forgotten. They need your help!

Bonnie Stamos Destounis, Chair, NCWCDO

NCWC EDUCATION FUND

I know those of you who have attended our previous NCWC / NCWC EDUCATION FUND Joint-‘Common Program’ forums and who are intending to come along this year to NCWC’s 121st AGM in Ottawa will find this year’s program on Saturday, June 7th (noon to 4 pm) equally inspiring.

Here we will be focusing once more on Women and Mental Health, specifically on the issue: ‘Shining a Light on Mental Health and Stigma.’ Our lead speaker will be Heather Stuart, Bell Canada Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research Chair at Queens University and we will also feature a panel of speakers from a diversity of backgrounds, such as those with lived experience, families, advocates and service providers.

Hope to see you there and, if you live locally, plan to bring a friend along, and/or, if you know anyone in the media, urge them to come as it would make a great article, and much needed. Gracia Janes, President, NCWC Educational Fund

2

If you wish to help financially with this program, please send cheques made out to NCWC Education Fund or by web and credit card through CanadaHelps.org.

DONATIONS FOR NCWC EDUCATION FUND

Please send your donation to

NCWC Education Fund P.O. Box 67099 Ottawa, ON, K2A 4E4. or ON LINE : CanadaHelps.org Receipts for tax purposes will be issued promptly

DONATIONS FOR NCWCDO FUND

Please send your donation to NCWCDO Treasurer c/o NCWC P.O. Box 67099 Ottawa, ON K2A 4E4

Receipts for tax purposes will be issued promptly

If you wish to help financially with this program, please send cheques made out to NCWCDO to the address indicated below.

NEWS FROM LOCAL COUNCILS

3

THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF WINNIPEG April 20, 2013 Council of Women of Winnipeg held their Annual General Meeting. Guest speaker was Michael Redhead Champagne, founder and organizer of AYO (Aboriginal Youth Opportunities!). He is responsible for networking, public relations and mentorship. He is a well known public speaker, blogger and community activist. At the AGM a new board of directors was elected. President Kelly-Ann Stevenson, Past President Arlene Draffin Jones, Treasurer Patricia Fraser, Recording Secretary Susan Hancharyk, Membership Monika Feist, Program Dr. Joan Grace, Resolutions Gisele Saurette-Roch, Communications Eva Marie Lessing, Constitution Lore Mirwaldt, Archives Sandra Kloss.

May 29th President Kelly-Ann Stevenson made a presentation to City Council expressing the Council’s objection to the potential selling and leasing our publically owned golf courses. Once these golf courses are sold Winnipeg residents and families will lose accessibility to affordable leisure activities in both seasons; golfing and cross country skiing.

CWW now has entered into an offsite agreement with Society of Manitobans with Disabilities (SMD) - the Council’s executive and general meetings will now be held at the SMD building. CWW is very grateful to Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba to allow us to share some office space to their office at the SMD location.

CWW is excited to share that at last, we are officially incorporated with the government of Manitoba. Our official name is now Council of Women of Winnipeg INC.

On July 13, the 7th Celebrating Women Gala was held at the Viscount Gort. This event acknowledges the work and dedication of federates and individual members of the Winnipeg and Provincial & Local Councils for their efforts to improve the lives of women and their communities: Helen Garrity (Ukrainian Women’s association), Emily Ternette (Disabled Women Association Network of Manitoba), Diana Mager (Manitoba Association of Home Economists), Catherine Dunn (Ikwe Widdjitwin) and Margaret Haworth-Brockman ( Prairie Women Association Health Centre of Excellence).

Over the summer the CWW executive had six meetings – we have been busy reviewing its Constitution and By-Laws, updating our membership lists, and meetings with a graphic designer – as we explore changing our “look” – logos and our web site. Along with planning a celebration of the 120 anniversary of the Council of Women of Winnipeg – details are to follow.

In September the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives of Manitoba Fundraising Brunch honoured longtime supporter of our Local Council - Muriel Smith. Muriel former politician continues to be active with our Local, Provincial and National Councils of Women. It was great honour to see her receive this well-deserved recognition.

The CWW entered into a fundraising agreement with the Fort Whyte Alive’s Adventure Travel Raffle and we were able to raise over $600 for the Council.

The CWW has pledged to be actively involved in the municipal Winnipeg election in the fall 2014 addressing issues that affect women, children, families and our community. We kick started our commitment at our General meeting in January 2014 – by having Ms Judy Wasylycia-Leis as our guest speaker – Women of the Front Lines – From Pakistan to Winnipeg. Ms Wasylycia-Leis was recently involved in parliamentary strengthening projects with National Democratic Institute in Jordan. In 2010 she contested the election for Mayor of Winnipeg, placing second. She is a former Member of Parliament representing the riding of Winnipeg North in the House of Commons between 1997 and 2010. She served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Manitoba representing the riding of St. John’s between 1986 and 1993. She is currently named Chair of the Board of Directors of the Public Services Foundation of Canada and was appointed Commissioner to the Commission on Quality Public Services and Tax Fairness.

2014 will be a busy year for our local Council and look forward to celebrating our milestone anniversary and keeping the issues that affect women and our families in the forefront in the civic election this fall.

Kelly-Ann Stevenson, President, Council of Women of Winnipeg; Vice President , National Council of Women of Canada

1. Arlene Draffin Jones

2. Leonora Saunders, Michael Champagne & Jenna Liiciious Wirch from AYO

3. Michael Champagne

4. Kelly-Ann Stevenson, CWW President, Judy Sasylycia-Leis & Debbie Navitka, local council member

5. Sharon Taylor, PCWM President, Muriel Smith & Kelly-Ann Stevenson

NEWS FROM PROVINCIAL COUNCILS

LOCAL & PROVINCIAL COUNCILS & NOSs & CONVENERS

The ncwc wants to HEAR FROM YOU!

THIS NEWSLETTER IS YOUR VOICE

Next SUBMISSION DEADLINE : MAY 15, 2014

4

THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (PCWBC)

A recent event in Langley, BC found PCWBC Executive members extending congratulations to a federate organization, Business and Professional Women, on the charter ceremony of a new club. The entire International BPW Board and the National BPW President were in attendance. PCWBC President Barbara Hall greeted BPW International President Freda Miriklis and presented a Vancouver Council of Women 2014 calendar book. NCWC VP Rosemary Mallory brought NCWC greetings.

A smudging ceremony took place at Capilano University in North Vancouver prior to an event presented by Emancipation Now. All the speakers participated in this healing ritual prior to the presentation Unceded Bodies: Ending the Trafficking of Aboriginal Girls, Youth and Women.

Rosemary Mallory, VP, Public Relations, NCWC

NEWS FROM THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF ONTARIO (PCWO)

The Provincial Council of Women of Ontario held its Semi-Annual Meeting at Queen’s Park on Thursday, December 5, 2013. We had an excellent speaker, Emanuela Heyninck, Head of Ontario’s Pay Equity Commission. Her comments included the following. In the gender gap scale, Canada is doing well in education and health but poorly in economic participation and political representatives. Females with an MBA start off with a lower salary than men and the gap keeps increasing until it gets very large at the executive level. Business people do not necessarily knowingly discriminate against women but have hidden biases. We need to have an employment equity reporting mechanism where companies are required to report on their wage gaps and how they are correcting them.

PCWO has joined the Equal Pay Coalition which was formed in 1976 to seek the implementation of equal pay for work of equal value through legislation and collective bargaining. The Coalition has over 39 constituent and partner groups. Equal Pay Day is a symbolic day that illustrates how far into the next year a woman must work to earn the same amount of wages earned by a man in the previous year. This date is on April 16

th this year and

there will be a rally at Queen’s Park where women are asked to wear red to mark how far women are in the “red” when it comes to their pay. The gender pay gap in Ontario is 28%.

Mary Potter, President, Provincial Council of Women of Ontario

L-R: Barbara Hall, Rosemary Mallory, Freda Miriklis Smudging Ceremony

NEWS FROM PROVINCIAL COUNCILS

NEWS FROM THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF MANITOBA

The Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba Celebrates the Volunteer Work and Contribution by Women to their Community.

On Tuesday, July 9, 2013, the Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba honoured the achievements of four Manitoba women and a federate group – Manitoba Association of Home Economists. All of them have made a difference in the quality of life for women, their families and society.

The 7th Annual Celebrating Women Gala was held at the Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue. Emcee Marcy Markusa from Host CBC Radio One - Information Radio welcomed the crowd of approximately 120. There were delicious refreshments, door prizes, a fabulous rainbow auction, displays from federates and sponsors, and the Celebrating Women Art Boutique. The jazz band “Night Fall” entertained with instrumental background music and vocal selections. Piper, Barb Wipf, led the honourees in for the formal program. Each honouree was presented with a commemorative engraved vase.

The Gala would not be possible without the help and support of the PCWM Board and Federates. The CWW Gala Committee worked hard to make the event such a success: Arlene Draffin Jones, Alberta Johnson, Peggy Barker, Bonnie Siemens, and Shirley Walker.

Many thanks to volunteers for the evening: Sharon Taylor, Rany Jayeratnan, Bonnie Warkentine, Sally Thomas, Betty Hopkins, Barbara Kendel, Eva Beaudoin and Barbara Toews.

The Winnipeg Free Press featured the honourees with her Honour Anita K. Lee (Honorary Patroness), and the Celebrating Women Committee with the president, Sharon Taylor, on The Social Page. Sharon Taylor, Emily Ternette and Margaret Haworth-Brockman were interviewed by Eleanor Koopsani on the CTV’s Morning Alive. We wish to express a very special thank you to our sponsors. We received generous donations and gifts from corporate friends and the Manitoba Government, federates, individual members and community organizations.

Maxine Balbon, Membership Chair, Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba

CANADIAN COUNCIL OF MUSLIM WOMEN

CCMW is no stranger when it comes to addressing the very issues that affect Canadian Muslim communities, including debates concerning Muslim women and their choice of dress. Women In Niqab Speak can be seen as a response to this growing national conversation and a reflection of CCMW’s values and continued commitment to the plurality of Muslim communities. It represents an attempt to cast light on the existing agency of and provide space for Canadian Muslim women who wear the niqab to speak for themselves. This study is not intended to dwell upon the religious or theological

5

Honorees

L-R: Helen (Olena) Garrity (Individual nominated by

Ukrainian Women's Association), Emily Ternette (Individual

nominated by DAWN - Manitoba) Diana Mager from our

Federate winner the Manitoba Association of Home

Economists, Catherine Dunn (Individual nominated by Ikwe

Widdjitiwin), Margaret Haworth-Brockman (Individual

nominated by Prairie Women's Health Centre of

Excellence), and Her Honour Anita K. Lee (Honorary

Patron).

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) is proud to present its recent publication "Women in Niqab

Speak: A study of the niqab in Canada", funded by Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

NEWS - NATIONALLY ORGANIZED SOCIETIES

...cont’d next page

CANADIAN COUNCIL OF MUSLIM WOMEN ...cont’d

basis of the practice itself, but rather it is first and foremost about the lived experiences of the women and the diverse narratives that they have shared in their responses. The niqab itself is a complex issue and raises many questions for Muslim communities and the wider Canadian population itself. These questions do not yield simple answers, but they must be explored through open and honest discussion.

The findings of this report, authored by Dr. Lynda Clarke, Professor of Religion and Islam of Concordia University, paint a dynamic, engaging picture of Canadian women who wear the niqab and challenge many of the mainstream presumptions and stereotypes that are presented in the media, policy circles and the wider public. A total of approximately 81 women who wore the niqab participated in this study, 38 of whom responded to online surveys, 35 that participated in focus groups in Mississauga, Montreal, Ottawa and Waterloo and eight who participated in in-depth individual interviews.

The study can be downloaded from our website http://ccmw.com/ is available in English and French. Also, visit http://www.wunrn.com/ the Women’s UN Report Network for information on the study on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Status of Women from the Viewpoint of Religion and Traditions.

MARCH NUTRITION MONTH — CANADIANS HEALTH CONCERNS

As NCWC Health Convener, I would like to thank all those Health Conveners who have sent me feedback on health issues of importance that are not being addressed. I would also like to encourage those who have not responded, to let me know their concerns. Issues that the collective voice of the NCWC can address.

During March, Nutrition Month, we are once again reminded of the importance of the development of strategies to help Canadians make wiser lifestyle choices to curb the obesity epidemic and its related diseases. These are a major cause of lower national productivity, death and escalating medical costs. Because of the obesity epidemic for the first time in history parents might outlive their children!

One of the questions this begs is, how far can governments go in influencing food policies? Below are just three recent government interventions, one in the UK the other in the US, and another in Mexico planned for the New Year.

US moves to ban trans fats from processed foods. Canada has no similar plans. Experts believe voluntary targets we have in Canada are inadequate. http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/moves+trans+fats+from+processed+foods/9141152/story.html

Trans fatty acids have the same caloric value, gram for gram, as other fats. They are correlated with coronary heart disease. Trans fatty acids are generally found in many high Calorie, low-nutrient foods, i.e. cakes, cookies.

Study says soda tax would cut obesity rates by 1.3 per cent in UK, W. Europe's fattest country.

http://www.canada.com/health/Study+says+soda+would+obesity+rates+cent/9109736/story.html "Barring an unlikely court upset, the new year in Mexico will bring a national tax of one peso per litre - roughly 10 percent - on sugar-sweetened beverages and 8 percent on junk food.”

"Ironically, France, which has a relatively low obesity rate, was the first to initiate a significant soda tax, and it seems to be reducing consumption - but its soda drinking was relatively low to begin with.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/30/

Should Canada follow these leads?

Recently it has been shown that the Mediterranean Diet, not drugs, is key to the dementia fight.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2520425/Mediterranean-diet- drugs-key-dementia-fight-say-doctors.html

When there is ample evidence to show lifestyle, not drugs, is the best course, how can physicians be convinced of the advantages of prescribing healthy lifestyles, rather than medications?

These are merely a few issues. If you have a concern, forward it to your Council Health Convener. We look forward to hearing from your Health Conveners of your concerns. Sandra Cohen-Rose Convener of Standing Study Committee on Health, NCWC

6

NEWS - NATIONALLY ORGANIZED SOCIETIES

NEWS FROM CONVENERS OF STANDING STUDY COMMITTEES

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR — BOGOTA COLOMBIA

Buenos Dias, Senoras. It was an honour and privilege to represent NCWC at the Regional Council of the Americas International Seminar in Bogota, Colombia in early December 2013. This Regional Council, of which NCWC was a charter member, was founded in Bogota in 1987; it encompasses the Western Hemisphere Councils of North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. Attending the meeting, In addition to representatives from the Americas, were Council members from other parts of the world, including the International Council of Women Board. The working language generally was Spanish.

My first trip to South America began with a direct Air Canada flight. The view from the plane’s windows as we approached Bogota was one of beautiful green fields bordered by fine stands of trees; it was a far cry from winter in Canada. Colombia straddles the equator and Bogota is 4 degrees north. The city is also at an altitude of over 8600 feet, so it was comfortable but not hot. The altitude caused one other side effect which struck on day two – altitude sickness!

I was delighted with the assistance given by a young female Air Canada airport employee on arrival who sensed my unfamiliarity with the language and the location. She took time out of what must have been her lunch hour to walk me through the airport, stay with me while I exchanged currency, and see me to a waiting taxi. To add to this pleasurable memory, a young male employee demonstrated similar kindness at the time of my departure. I found that this was typical of the welcome at the conference, too.

The conference hotel was very comfortable with delicious food in generous quantity. The seminar itself had a tightly packed comprehensive agenda with a number of outstanding speakers and well-constructed slide presentations. For the very few of us who weren’t proficient in Spanish, simultaneous translation to English was provided on day one and we had the use of ear-phones; subsequently, this was replaced by having various capable interpreters repeat the lines as the presentations took place.

Personal Colombian hospitality was extended by the founder and first president of the Regional Council -- an invitation to attend a private dinner at her home with other delegates. It was a wonderful evening of fine cuisine and warm words, and an excellent opportunity to relax in the company of Council friends after a day crowded with serious considerations.

Rosemary Mallory, VP, Public Relations, NCWC

7

REPORTS ON REGIONAL COUNCIL OF THE AMERICAS

Diploma: Rosemary Mallory was awarded a certificate for the greeting at the Regional Council of Conference of the Americas

L-R: Ana Maria de Goyzueta, President of the Regional Council of the Americas, Cosima Schenk, President of ICW/CIF and Heyde Lopez Duran, Presi-dent of the NCW Colombia—Dec. 3, 2013

L-R: : Christine Knock, MNZM, ICW VP; Linda LC Liu, ICW Board Member; Rosemary Mallory; Hean Bee Wee, ICW VP

HEALTH CANADA AND THE HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION

PRESENT FAMILY-FRIENDLY SEASONAL RECIPES

Eve Adams, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, and Chef Christine Cushing led a cooking session with representatives from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. The Speedy Flatbread Pizza that they prepared is one of 12 family-friendly recipes now posted on both the Healthy Canadians and the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s websites.

Quick Facts

More than 1.2 million Canadians conduct online searches for healthy recipes each month.

In total, 48 recipes will be released over the next year as part of the campaign – 12 each season. Recipes will include vegetarian, fish and meat options, and will be child-friendly, so that children can make healthy meals with their parents. Visit Government of Canada Eating Well and Heart & Stroke

Eve Adams, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, and Canadian Chef Christine Cushing — Gov’t of Canada’s Eat Well campaign

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S EAT WELL PROGRAM

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN BOARD MEETING AND REGIONAL COUNCIL OF AMERICAS SEMINAR AND REGIONAL MEETING— NOVEMBER 26 TO DECEMBER 5, 2013 by Christine Knock, MNZM, Vice-President, ICW

It had been a number of years since an ICW Meeting had been held in South America. The ICW Board made a decision in South Korea after the ICW General Assembly that we would travel to Bogata, Columbia for a Board Meeting and also hold a Seminar afterwards.

As I was to travel via Santiago, Chile on my way to Columbia, I decided to visit the Galapogas Islands (one of the places to see on my “Bucket List”) and I went on a 6 day cruise, managing to see in person many reptiles and mammals I had only watched from the television (including the giant tortoise and visiting the Charles Darwin Centre).

We had a successful Board Meeting with many items to discuss and make decisions on, and we had the opportunity in the evenings to taste the local Columbian cuisine.

The theme of the Seminar was Women’s Leadership in Politics and Economic Empowerment, we had representatives from Columbia, Guatemala, Canada, and the eight ICW Board Members.

Opening and Welcome speeches were given by Cosima Schenk ICW President and other Presidents.

A welcome was given by Cristina Gruesso de Victoria from the Columbian Government who spoke on the “role of women in higher and senior positions within Government” and the capacity and professional development.

We had a message from a female who is the Minister of Foreign Trade and Defence, a security policy had been developed and this lady was the first women to be involved in Foreign Trade.

We had two Panel Sessions one on Human Rights and other challenges (the Moderator was ICW Board Member Linda Liu).

In the afternoon we had another Panel Session on Women’s Economic Development where I was the Moderator for this session.

Panelists included Juliana from Columbia serving as Director of Banca de las Oportunidades, she informed us on a programme of the Government of Columbia that promotes access for all people to formal financial services.

Eunice from Guatemala spoke of her life experience involvement in Inter Family Violence personally and professionally.

Gladis from a town in Guatemala (a Major’s wife with 9 children), she had received leadership training through receiving a scholarship in the US. Gladis had formed groups for women in her community (including indigenous women) who are discriminated against. She assisted in training women to be independent from their husbands, empowering them to look after themselves both physically and psychologically.

Susanna spoke on her life as an Entrepreneur, she had the opportunity to travel to the US where she did Fashion Design.

She had worked in a Multi National Company which allowed her to meet and work with women.

She became involved in a project Anti-Aging Technology in Columbia.

Presentations we heard during the Seminar confirmed to us that there is no feminist movement in Colombia. Women who have a position in the Parliament, at the Senate, as members of the Government are mainly promoting their own image searching for their own personal success.

Colombia is amongst the most unequal countries in the world. The social stratification is such that it is a real obstacle to the equal promotion of women. Only a rich woman can struggle for a political position.

Inequality is everywhere: between social classes, between races, between men and women, inside the family, in the access to property, in the peace process negotiation.

8

REPORTS ON REGIONAL COUNCIL OF THE AMERICAS

...cont’d next page

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN BOARD MEETING AND REGIONAL COUNCIL OF AMERICAS SEMINAR AND REGIONAL MEETING — NOVEMBER 26 TO DECEMBER 5, 2013..cont’d In the last ten years, rich women became richer and poor women poorer. Some of the ICW Board Members had the opportunity to visit Foundation Foyer Bambi. The Foundation Foyer Bambi is a hope in the darkness. For those of us who attended we were impressed by the testimonies of young mothers who explained how the Foundation changed their lives. This Foundation was founded by the Swiss from private and public sectors about ten years ago to alleviate and save the life of abandoned children or women with several children they could not bring up. There are now a number of branches of the Foundation in parts of Columbia.

The Centre we visited was located in the South of Bogota, the poorest part of the city. The young women who come to this centre have the opportunity to come for training sessions as they have no support in life and who are extremely resentful against their family (beaten or raped by their own father), against society and the Government who are unable to provide any help or shelter. Social services in this country are practically non existent. These women need not only financial support to raise their family but also they need training in different professions in order to raise their family. The most important need however is to restore their self-esteem, their self-defence and their autonomy and this is an objective for ICW to look at supporting. The weekly training courses are given by professionals and psychiatrists.

For ICW, there is nothing better if we can restore a hope in women’s lives. We brought them a slogan

they were enthusiastic about: “I didn’t know that I could do it, but I did it.” For me this was my first visit to South America and I am proud to be part of an organisation such as the Interna-tional Council of Women which enables me to be able attend and participate with many women from around the world for the future of girls’, young women and women. Christine Knock, MNZM, Vice-President, ICW

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW58)

The fifty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 10 - 21 March 2014. The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Women facilitates the participation of NGOs in sessions of the CSW. The Priority theme for this year’s CSW58 is: Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls and the Review theme is: Access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work (agreed conclusions from the fifty-fifth session) - See more at: www.unwomen.org/en/csw/csw58-2014. Representatives from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, National Council of Women of NZ (NCWNZ), Federation of Graduate Women (NZFGW) and NZ Women’s Watch (formerly Pacific Women’s Watch, NZWW) will be attending. Those who wish to find out more about CSW and especially the agenda planned for CSW58 are invited to watch

this video presentation which is an excellent introduction to the work undertaken during a CSW session.

http://webtv.un.org/watch/preparatory-panel-for-2014-57th-session-of-the-commission-on-the-status-of-

women/2207516331001/

9

REPORT ON REGIONAL COUNCIL OF THE AMERICAS

ICW Regional Councils meeting attendees, Bogata Columbia, 2014

THE PROBLEM OF DOMESTIC WORKERS: “IS WOMEN’S WORK EVER DONE”?

by Thelma A. McGillivray, VP Education PCWO

INTRODUCTION:

On April 11, 1894, the newly formed National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC), chaired by president, Lady Ishbel Aberdeen, held their first annual meeting in Ottawa. The Council movement, an umbrella group formed with numerous other volunteers, was an educated lobby with a respected public voice (to become known in the 20thC as a ‘consciousness-raising-group of women) formed to address much needed social reform.

These women were well informed at the time, evidenced by their first inaugural meeting sessions whereby they were concerned with the problems of women’s work; ‘Women’s Work in Connection with Social Reform’; Women’s Work in Connection with the Sick’; and the third session, ‘The Problem of Domestic Service’. Why, one may ask, would the topic of domestic servants be such a pressing issue for these upper-middle class women in attendance, who in all probability had household help at the time?

History informs us that household help was indeed a pressing demand for employment. In 1881 the proportion of female servants to households was 1 to 16.2 (800,410 households). In 1891 it was l to 11.3 (900,080 house-holds). This represented 41% of the female workforce. Records from this first meeting reveal that the papers given by the speakers demonstrate that they understood clearly enough that household work was as onerous as it was necessary and that good help was a boon. The possibilities for the exploitation of servants in a class-conscious society were also recognized. Mrs. Helliwell, a member of the Toronto Local Council of Women, said, “I am speaking of the general servant…her lot is usually a hard one, her room often the worst in the house, her furniture, her bed etc., of the cheapest and commonest kind, and she often, I grieve to say, after working hard all day, goes tired out to a comfortless room to rest or sleep in. Domestic work could be as soul-destroying as any employment in a factory.” NCWC members were aware of the difference between the household that employed many and the one that relied upon ‘a general’ who would stoke a coal range at 6 a.m. and spend the next 17 hours fetching, carrying, washing dishes, cleaning rooms and helping to cook and care for the children. However, at this time, Council’s main concern was not only that the work conditions be humane, but that the importance of domestic work called for special training; and no less would do than the establishment of domestic science courses and the organization of apprenticeships for women. The issue of women’s education was more directly addressed by the new resolution presented by Adelaide Hoodless, co-founder of NCWC, who read as follows:

“This NCWC do all in its power to further the introduction of Manual Training for girls into the Public School System of Canada, believing that such training will greatly con-duce to the general welfare of Canadian homes.” (The Splendid Vision, N.E.S. Griffiths, 1993, page 42)

The resolution passed that day. Mrs. Hoodless, herself did all she could to make this happen and saw her dream come to fruition before her death at the age of 52 in 1910. She opened a school of domestic science at the Hamilton YWCA in 1894; in l897 all the public schools in Ontario offered domestic science courses; in 1898 Mrs. Hoodless wrote the first scholarly text book on domestic science; in 1900 she opened the Ontario Normal School of Domestic Science and Art in Hamilton; in 1903 her greatest achievement was realized when she opened the Macdonald Institution of Home Economics in Guelph.

DOMESTIC EMPLOYMENT

Domestic service continued to be the single most important paid employment for women in Canada until l921 when only 11% were in domestic service and tended to be young girls, more often than not. Canadian girls were replaced by immigrants, with little or no training. However for immigrant women, particularly the Irish of the 19

thC

and the eastern Europeans of the early 20th C, domestic service was at least a paid job and could represent

upward mobility. The demand for servants was so great that the federal government and many women’s organizations in fact encouraged British and European domestic servants to come to Canada. The failing economy of the time meant that young girls had to take work outside the home to financially help their families. For many farm girls, from their parents’ point of view, the occupation sometimes seems preferable to others since it took place in a family environment. Above all domestic service was considered suitable for women and girls since it prepared them for their eventual role as housewives.

10

WOMEN’S ISSUES

...cont’d next page

Adelaide Hoodless

THE PROBLEM OF DOMESTIC WORKERS: “IS WOMEN’S WORK EVER DONE”? …cont’d

Yet domestic service was only as good as the mistress for whom one worked. Since there were no employment standards then to govern either work or living conditions, both could be very bad. Living in meant that one did not have to pay room and board, but employers of live-in servants were known to hold back wages to ensure that servants would remain. A former servant, recalling the 1880s, stated that when a girl was hired for a term, she was for that period “as much the property of her mistress as was ever a slave in the cotton fields of the south”. Nellie McClung is quoted, that she was told a story of a servant girl when told she had to take a bath on her day off at the YWCA and not in the family tub, her response was “No bath, no work”. (RCSW, 1968)

Perhaps the most serious problem of the domestic servant, if far from the protection of friends or family, was her vulnerability to sexual exploitation. Olive Savariat, a 17 year old domestic in the Clarenceville, Quebec home of James Collins, in the early 1860s was one of countless servants who was made pregnant by their employer. Olive’s story ended tragically in her employer’s barn, where she died as a result of an abortion he had arranged.

Yet not all young women were as easily victimized as Olive. In 1915, Carrie Davies, an 18 year old servant of Charles Albert Massey, a scion of the wealthy Toronto family, shot and killed her employer because of sexual advances. Davies did not escape trial, but about one thousand sympathetic supporters contributed to her defence. (See Canadian Women: A History, by Alison Prentice, P. Bourne, G.C. Brandt, B. Light, W. Mitchinson, & Naomi Black, 1988, page 124); (Women at Work -1850-1930, by Women’s Press, 1974, page 94); (Nothing New Under The Sun: 1893-1978, Local Council of Women of Toronto, 1978); (The Toronto Evening Telegram, February 9-27, 1915, David Frank); and (The Massey Murder: A Maid, Her Master, And the Trial That Shocked A Country, by Charlotte Gray, 2013).

CONCLUSION

The significance of the Charlotte Gray book for Council of Women is that Ms. Gray gives full credit to the important role of both the NCWC and to the Toronto Council of Women (TLCW). Given that the education and protection of domestic workers has been a policy since 1894 of NCWC and thus for Local Councils, TLCW’s president, Mrs. Florence (A.M.) Huestis (1911-1918), immediately took the matter of Carrie Davies to the members of Council for their advice. By a remarkable coincidence Mrs. Huestis had been in the court house, on the same day as Miss Davies, to meet with the court administer to ensure that the Women’s Court would not be defunded, but they did not see each other. The Women’s Court had been opened in February 1913 after a vigorous lobby by the NCWC and TLCW who were appalled with the manner in which women offenders were treated in Toronto City Hall’s police court. Mrs. Huestis was pleased that a Council member had already arranged for a lawyer friend to represent Miss Davies. It did not take long after that that Council members and sympathizers of all classes raised funds for Miss Davies’s legal costs.

Over the years the work of women has continued to be under-valued. Council of Women have put forth numerous policies to address the discriminatory practices of women in the labour force. During the late 1988’s to early 1990s, approximately 100 years later than the l894 policy, the Canadian Feminism and the Law: The Women’s Legal Education and Action and the Pursuit of Equality (LEAF) by Sherene Razack, (1991) one of their proactive efforts focused on how labour laws restricting the rights of domestic workers to federal language training policies to sponsored immigrants, and overtime pay after legal hours of work per week entrench women’s inequality. Eventually, The Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act was enacted on April 1, 2011. The “domestic worker” is the provincial term used by the provincial government. “Live-in-caregiver” is the term used by the federal government and includes immigration aspects that do not affect the employment standards entitlements.

It is very important to pay heed to our past history. This is one wonderful example of how lobbying for the human rights of others can be achieved, although other issues may arise calling for an update of our policies. However, Council of Women and their many federate organizations cannot rest on their past laurels. For “women’s work is never done”, nor without its struggles for women’s work to be recognized as valuable, productive, and necessary work. There is no question that our economy is based on women’s labour and society has profited off women’s labour; that labour without benefits, child care support or pensions. Indeed, recent data tells us that 25% of working women are in the service of others; be it health care, housekeeping in industry and institutions or in households caregiving for the young and the older population. The lesson is, it does take patience and sometimes more than a hundred years to achieve some equality. But of course, Council women know that – after all, we have been around for 120 years!

Thelma A. McGillivray, VP Education PCWO

11

WOMEN’S ISSUES

Charlotte Gray

THE NCWC 2014 RESOLUTIONS

12

The March 2014 Resolutions package was sent out in January by mail and email by Carol Schweitzer. If you have any questions, you may contact her at ncwc@magma.ca.

Mary Potter is the NCWC Resolutions Convener. Please address your questions and send your amendments to the email or postal address mentioned in the Resolutions package or to ncwc@magma.ca.

The deadline for developing the FINAL Resolution Package for 2014 is March 31, 2014. Please send your amendments by email without extensive formatting in Arial font 11.

The Resolutions Committee will study the amendments and prepare a final document for the AGM.

Any further Updates and Emerging Issues must be received no later than March 31, 2014. After March 31, only Emerging Issues which relate to national concerns arising after that date shall be brought to the AGM. The originator must bring forty (40) copies for distribution to the Voting Body at the opening session.

Please review thoroughly prior to developing an Update or an Emerging Issue Resolution and consult with relevant Conveners and Councils. They will be sent out as soon as possible after March 31 for your consideration, with your suggestions to be brought to the AGM.

The Resolutions package is available electronically from the National Office upon request.

NATIONAL COUNCIL

OF WOMEN OF CANADA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2013-14

PRESIDENT: Denise Mattok

VICE PRESIDENTS:

Karen Dempsey

Arlene Draffin Jones

Gracia Janes

Rosemary Mallory

Carol Schweitzer

Kelly-Ann Stevenson

TREASURER:

Stephanie Courneyea, CGA

DISCLAIMER

The opinions expressed by the

contributors are their own and do

not necessarily reflect or represent

the views of the National Council of

Women of Canada, its members or

federates.

National Council of Women

of Canada

P.O. Box 67099, Ottawa, ON

Canada K2A 4E4

Telephone: 1-613-232-5025

Email: ncwc@magma.ca

Website: www.ncwc.ca

Editor: Beverley Colquhoun

Email: ncwc@magma.ca

SUBMISSION DEADLINE — REMINDER

Email announcements, news, articles and photos to

The Editor: ncwc@magma.ca

Submission date for the next issue of our newsletter is by

May 15, 2014

Send your document in WORD and Rich Text formats.

2014 RESOLUTIONS PACKAGE

Resolutions for Study, Amendment and Debate at NCWC’s 2014 AGM

1. Access to Mifepristone (RU486): for use in Medical Abortions 2. Employment Insurance Reform Regarding Tips 3. Global Farmland Rush 4. Banning the Use of Neonicotinoid Pesticides to Protect Food 5. One-Third Reduction in Sugar Content in Processed Food, Soft

Drinks and Juices