Women's Equality Branch
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All Issues | 2015 Issues

WOMEN FEMMES NB

IN THIS ISSUE:

Featured Article:
May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month  

Notices

Did You Know?

In the News:
    - Legislation Allows Women’s Council to Fulfil Mandate
    - Empowering Women Will Mean Little without Decent Jobs, UN Panel Warned
    - Viviane Baldwin Becomes Another Young Maisonnette Mayor
     

Parting Thoughts

May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
17 May 2016

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Premier Brian Gallant, who is also minister responsible for Women’s Equality, reminds New Brunswickers that May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the province.

“Our government has clearly stated its intolerance of sexual violence,” said Gallant. “It is our duty as a government and as a society to educate the public about this problem and thereby reduce the impact on victims by providing them with all of our support.

“This May, I encourage the public to reflect on sexual assault awareness and prevention measures. Eliminating sexual violence is a collective responsibility. Together we must change attitudes and clearly show that sexual violence will not be tolerated.”

There are many agencies across the province, such as the Fredericton Sexual Assault Centre, that offer quality services to women and girls.

The Fredericton centre has been supporting women for more than 40 years through its 24-hour crisis line and education and awareness programs. It is the organization responsible for implementing the Provincial Strategy on Sexual Assault Services.

The Women’s Equality Branch is proud to support initiatives that provide women and their children with much-needed services, such as:

• domestic violence outreach services;

• the Concurrent Group Program for children exposed to violence and their mothers;

• second-stage housing;

• regional family violence networks;

• the Community Action Fund;

• the Cybersafe Girl initiative;

• the Provincial Strategy on Sexual Assault Services; and

• the Strategic Framework to End Violence against Wabanaki Women in New Brunswick.

“Putting an end to violence against women is a priority for our government,” said Gallant. “We must continue to mobilize the entire population with respect to this social problem and help our families to make New Brunswick a place where everyone can feel safe.” 
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NOTICES

Support to Single Parents wants to celebrate their 34 years of success with you and have an opportunity to say goodbye. Join them for an evening of fun and celebration, featuring guest speakers and special presentations. Tuesday, June 14 at 6:30pm, Legends Restaurant, Moncton Coliseum, 377 Killam Drive, Entrance C. RSVP by May 30: [email protected] or 506-858-1303 ext. 3301.

Support to Single Parents Programs, Moncton:
    ·   Parenting Teenagers. $30, Tuesdays, May 24, 31 and June 7, 6:30-8:30 pm. Facilitator:
        Charlene Savoie, B.A.,RTC. This empowering 3-part program will assist parents in learning
        tools to guide their teens to make positive choices or live with the consequences for their
        behaviors.
    ·   Helping the Family Thrive after Separation (5 Steps to prevent divorce abuse) $30,        
        Wednesdays starting June 8, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Facilitator: Debbie Melanson-Hebert This
        program will help parents become aware of how their actions may inadvertently harm their
        children, as well as provide parents with the skills they need to stay child-focused while
        minimizing poor choices amidst conflict and loss ($20 book optional).
    ·   The Messages of Anger. $30, Mondays, starting June 6, 9:30-am-11:30 pm. Facilitator:
        Debbie Melanson-Hebert. A 3-part program designed to aid participants in recognizing and
        understanding their anger as one of their many emotions. Learn how to develop healthy
        expressions and behaviors of anger.
No one will be refused service if they are unable to pay. Registration begins 3 weeks before start date. Call Nathalie at 506-858-1303 ext. 3301, Email: [email protected]. For more information on programs: www.supporttosingleparents.ca.

Women’s Experience of Abortion: A UQO master student in social work would like to conduct individual interviews with women who had an abortion. The purpose of the study is to describe and explore New Brunswick women’s experience of abortion. Participation is confidential and entirely voluntary. You can participate if you:
    ·    Had an abortion
    ·    Lived in New Brunswick at the time of abortion
    ·    Were aged 18 and over at the time of abortion
If you would like more information or if you are interested in participating in our study, please contact Sacha Cyr: 1-800-567-1283 #2396 or [email protected].    http://bit.ly/1TXk5T0

Workshop: Board Effectiveness for Women, Edmundston (in French) Wednesday, June 8, 1 - 4 pm, Edmundston Convention Centre, $30. Conducted by Aldéa Landry, the workshop targets women who are interested in enhancing their personal effectiveness as a board member by better understanding board relationships, assessing performance and exploring the benefits of gender diversity on boards. Contact: [email protected] or 506-473-9775. Seating is limited, reserve now!

Introduction to Boards for Women Workshop, Saint John – Conducted by Aldéa Landry, the workshop targets women who are interested in serving on boards and want to learn everything they should know about joining a board, and how it can help their career. Tuesday, May 31, 9 am - 12 pm, ConnectionWorks, 1 Germaine St, third floor, $30. Seating is limited, reserve now! Contact [email protected] or 506-452-3918.

Sexual Violence Prevention and Awareness Facilitation Training, June 14-16, Fredericton.  The Fredericton Sexual Assault Centre (FSAC) will be offering training on two of its toolkits: The Empowerment Project (TEP) to train facilitators to deliver self-protection and assertiveness workshops to women and girls; and Man to Man for delivering workshops to men and boys about reducing sexual assault.  Participants can be community educators, teachers, guidance counsellors, or other service providers who work youth, young adults, or adults in the area of preventing sexual violence against women and girls. Contact Jenn Richard at [email protected] . $175 registration fee includes the cost of one toolkit. Please register early as this training can fill up quickly.

N.B. Disability Awareness Week 2016. Do you know someone who you would consider your Disability Awareness Week hero? An individual who has achieved something you consider to be inspiring and motivating? An individual who has been active in creating awareness surrounding issues related to disability? An individual who has advocated for an inclusive society in New Brunswick? The Premier’s Council on the Status of Disabled Persons wants to hear from you!  The contest begins on May 9 and runs through June 4.  For more information: http://bit.ly/1UtnGLh

Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB) is pleased to offer the following family law workshops in May:
    ·   Saint John – May 18, 6:30-8:30 – Preparing for a Family Court Hearing at the Saint John Free
        Public Library
    ·   Fredericton – May  25, 7:00-9:00 – Doing Your Own Divorce at UNB, Ludlow Hall
    ·   Moncton – May 25, 6:30-8:30 – Preparing for a Family Court Hearing at the Moncton Public
        Library
To register, you must complete the on-line registration form or call the toll-free Family Law Information Line at: 1-888-236-2444. 

“It’s Not Right” How You Can Identify Abuse and Help Older Adults at Risk.  What You Can Do?  Neighbours, friends and family members can learn to do three things:
    1.     SEE it! “It’s not right!” Recognize the warning signs of abuse.
    2.     NAME it! “That looks/sounds like abuse.” Talk to the older adult.
    3.     CHECK it! “Is it abuse? What can I do to help?” Ask questions, check with experts about
            what to do next, check for danger—help with safety planning.
For a PDF copy of the brochures, visit www.neighboursfriendsandfamilies.ca.

Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre (MMFC), UNB & the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers invite you to their launch of report entitled Rural Realities Faced by Service Providers and Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence when Navigating the Justice System. May 30, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. followed by the free workshop on the same theme from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Crowne Plaza, 669 Queen St, Fredericton. Please RSVP by May 27 with Kim Wade at [email protected]. Simultaneous translation will be available. For more information please contact: Rina Arseneault, Associate Director, MMFC at [email protected] / (506) 458-7137 or Martine Paquet, Social Work Consultant, NBASW at [email protected] / (506) 444-9196.

Calling all Bookworms in Moncton area – Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Moncton is holding a Bookworm Bonanza and needs your support. Donations of softcover books (no hardcovers please) directly to the Dan Bohan Family Centre in Riverview would be appreciated. Drop off May 22, 1-5 pm; May 23, 10 am-8 pm and May 24, 10 am-8 pm.  Then bring your family of Bookworms back to buy books on May 24,1-8 pm; May 25, 10 am-8 pm and May 26, 10 am-Noon. Books for only $1, $2 and $3. Details at www.cfuwmoncton.ca. CFUW Moncton awards scholarships of over $10,000 to women in Greater Moncton area. Contact:   Lynn  at [email protected]

Dealing with Difficult People. Fredericton, June 9, (early rate deadline May 19)
Participants in this workshop will learn how to positively engage others in discussions about behavioural patterns such as passive aggressiveness and chronic resistance. This workshop gives participants a straightforward approach that creates change with people they find difficult. Early Rate $198;  Regular Rate $220. Unable to attend?  Join the live webinar June 13 from 1pm - 2pm Central Time

Current Opportunities to Serve on New Brunswick Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs):  Qualified women and men having the highest personal and professional integrity are invited to serve on New Brunswick agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs).  For more information, check out the following link:    ABC current opportunities

Voices of New Brunswick Women Consensus-Building Forum: Contact Us: Sartain MacDonald Building, 551 King Street, Suite 103, Fredericton NB E3B 1E7, T. 506.462.5179, 1-844-462-5179, F. 506.462.5069, E. [email protected], www.voixfemmesnb-voiceswomennb.ca.

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In the News:

Legislation Allows Women’s Council to Fulfil Mandate
17 May 2016

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Legislation tabled today by the provincial government will ensure funding and independence for the New Brunswick Women’s Council.

Members of the Voices of New Brunswick Women Consensus-Building Forum were in the legislative assembly as Premier Brian Gallant, who is also minister responsible for Women’s Equality, tabled the New Brunswick Women’s Council Act.

“This act provides the forum with the enabling legislation required to help it fulfil its mandate,” said Gallant. “This legislative framework safeguards its independence from government.”

The forum was created three years ago and is the only public advisory body on women’s issues that is governed without legislation in Canada. The act will establish the New Brunswick Women’s Council, with a mandate and objectives reflecting those of the forum.

“Advancing the status of women is important for the New Brunswick economy and our social fabric,” said Gallant. “With this enabling legislation, these dedicated and passionate women will be able to do their work on behalf of New Brunswickers independently and efficiently.”

The provincial government has worked with the forum in drafting the act. The legislation reflects changes sought by forum members, including changing the name of their body to the New Brunswick Women’s Council.

“We welcome this legislation,” said forum co-chair Jennifer Richard. “It is critical that our work be enabled by an act that enshrines independence and establishes a strong mandate.”
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Empowering Women Will Mean Little without Decent Jobs, UN Panel Warned

Bold promises to empower women economically will come to nothing if the structural barriers that prevent women from getting decent jobs are not removed, civil society groups have warned.

A high-level panel backed by the World Bank, UN Women, the International Monetary Fund and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is producing an action plan to improve women’s economic opportunities over the next 15 years.

The panel, launched during the World Economic Forum in January, held its first consultative meeting at the UN on Wednesday during the annual Commission on the Status of Women. It includes business leaders, politicians, academics and civil society, and is chaired by Luis Guillermo Solis, the president of Costa Rica, and Simona Scarpaleggia, CEO of Ikea Switzerland.

Campaigners said they were disappointed not to have heard more from panellists about women’s unpaid work, exploitative contracts that keep women poor, and dangerous working conditions. Chiara Capraro, gender policy adviser at Christian Aid, said empowering women is not just about getting more female CEOs.

“The ILO estimates that, by 2020, 80% of people across the world will be affected by austerity policies. When services are cut, women have to pick up the slack and that affects their ability to make a living and access decent work,” she said.

Many women work in special economic zones, or for companies that don’t pay tax, or a living wage, and are denied access to unions, she added. “It’s really essential to see these dimensions reflected [in the panel],” she said.

Rachel Noble, women’s rights policy adviser at ActionAid, said: “It’s absolutely critical they pay attention to the fundamental structural issues blocking women from participating in the economy.

“There’s not nearly enough recognition of the fact that this is about women’s human rights, not just about creating economic growth.

Continued: http://bit.ly/1Ovsyh8

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Viviane Baldwin Becomes Another Young Maisonnette Mayor

The northeastern community of Maisonnette is starting to earn a reputation for inspiring young people to become leaders in the village.

Four years ago, Jason Godin was 19 and he was elected mayor in the community of about 570 people.

Godin, who was defeated as a NDP candidate in the federal election in October, did not run again in Monday's municipal election and that opened the door for another young leader.

Viviane Baldwin, 22, ran uncontested for the village's top job and now she is waiting to be sworn in as the new mayor.

It is going to be a busy start to her term. Baldwin will be going to university in Moncton as well as serving as the village's mayor so she said she will need to find creative ways to get both jobs done.

"With the technology today, FaceTime and Skype and everything, we can easily communicate and do your meetings by technology," she said.

"I'm sure it's going to be a little bit exhausting because I'm going to try to come here at least every weekend and I'm sure sometimes I'll have to do back and forth during the week. But it's a challenge I'm ready to take."

This will be Baldwin's first time as mayor, but she is coming with some political experience.

She was acclaimed as a councillor in Maisonnette in 2014, so she has been learning some of the village's key files for the last two years.

Outgoing mayor inspired Baldwin

Baldwin, who has a diploma in laboratory technology, said she was inspired by Godin and he encouraged her to join his team on council.

While Godin was the youngest mayor in Canada for a time, Baldwin said she's not quite sure she's setting any records. But the new mayor said she hopes she can be an inspiration for other young women to get involved in politics. (…)

Continued: http://bit.ly/1OxFKwN

Parting Thoughts

“Just watch, all of you men. I’ll show you what a woman can do…
I’ll go across the country,
I’ll race to the Moon…
I’ll never look back.”

-Edna Gardner Whyte

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Women's Equality Branch | 551 King Street, Suite A | Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1