Saskatchewan Christian Feminist Network

International Women's Day Letter- March 2005

Greetings Women of the Saskatchewan Christian Feminist's Network

March 8th is International Women's Day. As I reflect on what to say to the good women of the Network I am plagued by more questions than answers. Why is it that as half of the human race, women need a special day set aside to recognize and remember our achievements? After all there is no International Men's Day. Does there continue to be a need for such a remembrance? When I read of the ground braking accomplishments of sisters before use, It made me feel proud and grateful. It also brought tears to my eyes as it these accomplishments were achieved at a huge cost to the individuals involved.

The other day I saw a Valentine's Day card from a grandparent to a granddaughter. The front of the card portrayed a beautiful young woman with blond curly hair wearing a strapless floor length tiered gown. On the inside were cutouts of other looks of the same gown. It made me wonder how many grandparents would buy such a card for their granddaughter in 2005? After all the struggles women have gone through to be accepted in occupations that were once considered "for men only" a major card company portrays the young woman as a princess.

This lead me to reflect on the comment make by Judge McClung of Alberta in the assault case of R v Ewanchuk that the woman's manner of dress implied consent. I do not know how this woman was dressed, but could I assume there was likely a lot of skin showing? And if this attire is considered provocative, then one wonders why the fashion industry encourages teenagers to wear this very type of clothing? One only has to visit a retail outlet that specializes in clothing for young women to see how little there is to many of the garments. It would seem to me that women are set up and imprinted from a very young age to portray a certain type of image. So I ask, how far have we come?

While it may seem that for many women, and that means Caucasian women in the developed world, have made great strides there are still millions of women in the world who work in sweatshops in the most deplorable conditions for a few dollars a day. And despite the large numbers of deaths due to fire in these establishments, the doors and fire escapes continue to be locked to prevent women from leaving. How many lives have been lost and how many more will be lost because women scramble after these plumb jobs?

There have been several pieces of legislation passed in this country to address discrimination against women and minorities, but how successful have they been in eliminating these problems? I would like to cite a few of these from a previous article.

• Did you know....
• ...that in 1983, the Canadian Human Rights Act was amended to prohibit sexual harassment and to ban discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and family or marital status. Has this discrimination ended? Why is it that a women has to go to court at great personal expense to her livelihood and reputation to have this law enforced?
• 
  ...that in 1995, the federal government adopted a policy requiring federal departments and agencies to conduct gender-based analysis of future policies, programs and legislation, where appropriate. Is this being done?
• 
  ...that in 1955, restrictions on the employment of married women in the federal public service were removed.
• 
  ...that in 1978, the Canadian Human Rights Commission began operations based on the principle that every individual should have an equal opportunity to live without discrimination.
• 
  ...that in 1986, the Federal Employment Equity Act was introduced, applicable to Crown corporations and federally regulated businesses, to correct historic and systematic discrimination against women, Aboriginal peoples, people with disabilities and members of visible minorities.

This legislation is laudable, but there are very subliminal ways of ignoring it. I remember when I entered the workforce being told that the reason I didn't earn the same salary as a male colleague who graduated the same year I did was that the man had a family to support. While employers would be careful not to make such a statement today, the inequality still exists. When I began my own business in 1996 I asked a colleague in a managerial position what her salary was. It turned out to be $1.00 per hour less than a male member of her staff with less experience who was under her supervision. Such practices continue because businesses are secretive about their wage guidelines and encourage their employees not to discuss their salaries with each other.

So it appears that I have answered my own question. It appears that we do still need to celebrate International Women's Day. We mustn't forget the accomplishments of our sisters in the past. And we must continue to seek justice for women around the world. There is still a lot of work to do sisters.

Nancy Hassen, for COG