Women's Equality Branch
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All Issues | 2015 Issues

WOMEN FEMMES NB

IN THIS ISSUE:

Featured Article:
Launch of Campaign to Encourage Women to Enter Politics 

Notices

Did You Know?

In the News:
    - International Women’s Day
    - Domestic Violence: When the Law isn’t Enough
    - Drummers, Dancers Welcome B.C.’s 1st Female Aboriginal MLA to Legislature    

Parting Thoughts

Launch of Campaign to Encourage Women to Enter Politics
09 March 2016

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Premier Brian Gallant, who is also minister responsible for women’s equality, announced today that the provincial government is encouraging women to put their names forward as candidates in the upcoming municipal elections.

“We need more women at the decision making table,” said Gallant. “Studies show that it will lead to better economic outcomes and governance.”

Women represent half of the population but are traditionally under-represented among decision-makers at all government levels. At the municipal level, in 2012, women represented 31.8 per cent of all councillor positions and 18.1 per cent of all elected mayors in New Brunswick.

Over the next two weeks, the premier, the provincial government and the Women’s Equality Branch will be using social media to encourage more women to put their names forward. Building on the Get in the Race campaign underway by Elections NB that encourages all New Brunswickers to become candidates for the May 9 elections, this initiative focuses on women and their participation. Women will be encouraged to fill positions available at local governments, district education councils, and the regional health authorities throughout the province.

“We ask all New Brunswickers to join us in encouraging qualified women to put their name forward during these elections,” said Gallant.

It is expected that more than 1000 women and men from communities across the province will step forward to run in the elections being held on May 9 for municipal, district education council, and regional health authority positions.

The campaign will be using #GetintheRace and #DevenezCandidate on Twitter. Women interested in putting their name forward should visit the Elections NB website or call 1-888-858-8683.

http://bit.ly/1YwFHqQ

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NOTICES

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) -  Women in Local Government – You can listen to the following webinars on Municipal Campaign Training for Women:
·  Campaign Financing
·  Deciding to Run
·  Media Relations
·  Social Media
·  Campaign Literature
For more information: http://bit.ly/1p2bunL  

Municipal Elections in Canada: A Guide for Women Candidates. Why should women enter municipal politics? With women at the table, their issues are more likely to be included in all political discussions. Women also take a different approach to the process and to policy content. http://bit.ly/1f5G1K2

International Women’s Day (and beyond) 2016 campaign theme #PledgeForParityWorldwide, women continue to contribute to social, economic, cultural and political achievement. And we have much to celebrate today. But progress towards gender parity has slowed in many places.  The World Economic Forum predicted in 2014 that it would take until 2095 to achieve global gender parity. Then one year later in 2015, they estimated that a slowdown in the already glacial pace of progress meant the gender gap wouldn't close entirely until 2133. Take the Pledge For Parity!

Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB) is pleased to offer the following family law workshops in March:
·  Oromocto – March 9 from 6:30-8:30pm - Doing Your Own Divorce (For details, click here to view the
   workshop poster)
·  Bathurst – March 14 from 6:30-8:30pm - Preparing for a Family Court Hearing (For details, click here
   to view the workshop poster)
·  Edmundston – March 24 from 6:30-8:30pm - Modifier une ordonnance de pension alimentaire pour
   enfants (For details, click here to view the workshop poster)
·  Fredericton- March 31 from 7-9pm - Changing a Child Support Order (for details, click here to view the
   workshop poster)
·  Saint John- March 23 from 6:30-8:30pm - Changing a Child Support Order (for details, click here to
   view the workshop poster)
·  Moncton- March 30 from 6:30-8:30pm - Separation: Legal Considerations (for details, click here to
   view the workshop poster)
·  Woodstock - March 29 from 7-9pm at the Sobeys Community Room, 370 Connell Road - Separation:
   Legal Considerations
·  Tracadie-Sheila - March 29 from 6:30-8:30pm - Demander le divorce (for details, click here to view the
   workshop poster)
·  Miramichi - March 31 from 6:30-8:30pm- Preparing for a Family Court Hearing (for details, click here
   to view the workshop poster)
To register, you must complete the on-line registration form or call the toll-free Family Law Information Line at: 1-888-236-2444.

The Snooty Fox is hosting a Benefit Brunch for Family Enrichment in Fredericton on Sunday, April 3, 11 am to 2 pm. Live music by Tom McAvity, door prizes, 50/50 draw! The Snooty Fox prepares a Special Menu for the event and donates $5 from each meal ordered from that menu.  Proceeds support the subsidized services offered to children, youth, and families in the community! www.familyenrichment.ca

The War At Home airs Thursday, March 24 at 9 pm on CBC-TV. Domestic violence causes nine times the number of deaths as civil wars, globally.  In Canada, in the same ten year period, three times more women were killed by their partners than all our troops killed in Afghanistan.  http://www.cbc.ca/firsthand/blog/shelly-saywell-the-war-at-home

Catherine Martin, Nancy's Chair St. Mary’s University 2015-2017, will be speaking about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Tuesday, March 29, 7-9 pm, St. Bernard’s Church (basement), Moncton. A member of the Millbrook First Nation in Truro, Nova Scotia, Catherine is an independent film producer, director, writer, facilitator, communications consultant, community activist, teacher, drummer, and the first woman Mi’kmaw filmmaker from the Atlantic region. Catherine’s many award-winning documentaries tell the stories of her nation. Free Will Offering (to support the continued work of the Partners in Healing project). Coffee & Sweets will be provided. RSVP:  phone:   506-854-3502, email:  [email protected]

Realities and Challenges of the Transgender Community Workshop: Thursday, March 31, 1:00 to 5:00 pm, at the Peace Centre (main auditorium), 22 Church Street, Moncton. The goal of this workshop is to educate employers, medical & mental health professionals, social service professionals, non-profit service providers, parents and the general public, offering an introduction into what it means to be transgender including; what it’s like to come out to oneself, to one’s family, and to the community. Then how does one deal with the issues that arise after coming out. Cost: free. To register, please call (506) 855-8525 or email [email protected].

Status of Women Canada is soliciting proposals for projects that will empower women to participate more actively in the democratic and public life of Canada. Organizations can apply for funding under Stream 1 of this call for proposals – Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities – by June 1. Organizations can apply for funding under Stream 2 – which includes both Empowering Women for Political Action and Empowering Women for Community Action – by April 20. For more information: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1034539 or http://swc-cfc.gc.ca/fun-fin/cfp-adp/2016-1/index-en.html

Raising A Challenging Child (age 5-12) This is a six-week program for parents and caregivers starting on Saturday, April 2, 10 am to 12 noon, 356 Queen Street, Fredericton.   The cost is $119 per person or $199 for a couple (workbook included).  Cash, Debit, Visa, MasterCard, Payment Plans, and Sponsorships are available.  Please register by Thursday, March 24 by contacting Family Enrichment at [email protected] , 506-458-8211 or http://familyenrichment.ca/index.php/en/page/home.

Hear Our Voices: Children Exposed to Domestic Violence and Child Custody. The Miramichi Family Violence Prevention Network will be offering a full-day workshop with Dr. Peter Jaffe from the Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women and Children. When: Thursday May 19, 8:30 am-3:00 pm at NBCC Miramichi. Registration fee: $50. Please register by May 4 – no refunds given after that date. Simultaneous translation from English to French will be provided. To register and for more information, contact Beth at (506) 778-6496 or [email protected].

MMFF Award Call for Nominations: The Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation is calling for nominations for the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation Award. The Award was created in 1992 to recognize outstanding contributions toward eliminating family violence.  In the name of the recipient, the Foundation will make a donation to a registered charity of the recipient’s choice, whose objectives further the goals of the Foundation. Individuals, organizations or corporations whose achievements have advanced the elimination of family violence are eligible for nomination.   All nominations for the Award must be received by March 21 and include two (2) letters of support. For additional information on application procedures, please contact Rebecca Francis [email protected].

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:

International Women’s Day
08 March 2016

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Premier Brian Gallant, who is also minister responsible for women's equality, will be celebrating the essential role of New Brunswick women in the social and economic development of the province on March 8, International Women’s Day.

Canada’s theme for this year is Women’s Empowerment Leads to Equality. It highlights the importance of access to education, women’s involvement in the community, becoming financially independent, and understanding women’s right to live free from violence. It also reminds Canadians that empowerment is essential to gender equality, and that women and girls who are empowered are better equipped to fulfil their potential and contribute their best to society.

“We need more women in positions of influence in New Brunswick,” said Gallant.  “Having women at the table will lead to equality and it is proven it will help our economy.”

New Brunswickers are invited to honour the effort and accomplishments of women and girls in their communities.

“International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of determination by women who have played an extraordinary role in our communities,” said Gallant.

New Brunswickers are encouraged to participate in activities being held around the province on March 8 and throughout the month. Event information can be found on the Women’s Equality Branch website.

http://bit.ly/1QDoTeT

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Domestic Violence: When the Law isn’t Enough

Camille Runke had every right to expect the law to protect her. She had a protection order against her estranged husband and had almost regular contact with Winnipeg police.

But when she was shot at close range with a shotgun outside her work on Oct. 30, 2015, her name was added to a long list of women killed every year in Canada by someone they used to love.

“We want the laws to change,” Jenn Noone, a friend of Runke’s in Winnipeg, said. “And if it’s going to take Cam’s story to do it, we’re going to do it.”

Every five days a woman in Canada is killed by her partner or former partner.

In 2014, there were 82 intimate-partner homicides; 67 of the victims were women. Eleven were in Manitoba. And two murders last October in Winnipeg have ignited the conversation about domestic violence and intimate-partner violence. Runke’s is one of those.

Over the period of five months, Runke had called police 22 times, reporting smashed windows, slashed tires and threatening messages. She suspected her estranged husband, Kevin Runke, was stalking and harassing her.

Camille, 49, and Kevin Runke, 44, were married in 2013. They seemed like a couple in love. But in the spring of 2015, Camille caught Kevin cheating and the marriage was over. Shortly after, Camille started reporting the incidents.

In July 2015, Camille also applied for a protection order. On her application she wrote “he has a rifle.”

Protection orders are meant to be one of the tools designed to keep a woman safe. Breaching a protection order is a criminal act and is supposed to help police get offenders off the street faster.

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

Watch: 16x9’s “When the Law isn’t Enough”
 

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Drummers, Dancers Welcome B.C.’s 1st Female Aboriginal MLA to Legislature

Drummers and dancers welcomed British Columbia’s first aboriginal woman elected to the legislature in an emotional ceremony that saw Melanie Mark wiping away tears.

Mark is one of two New Democrats who won byelections earlier this month.

Jodie Wickens was elected in the suburban Vancouver riding of Coquitlam-Burke Mountain and Mark was elected in Vancouver-Mount Pleasant.

Mark wore her grandmother’s traditional red and black button blanket to the ceremony that included welcoming songs from the Nisga’a Nation from B.C.’s northwest.

B.C. has previously elected two male aboriginal members, Frank Calder and Larry Guno, while current Victoria New Democrat Carole James and former Liberal Marc Dalton are Metis.

Legislature Clerk Craig James says the addition of Mark and Wickens increases B.C.’s female representation in legislature to 38 per cent, the highest in Canada.

http://bit.ly/1pu4hNa 

Parting Thoughts

“To achieve gender equality, we need to mobilise not just parliaments but populations,
not only civil society but all of society.”

-Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
UN Women 

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