Women's Equality Branch
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All Issues | 2016 Issues

WOMEN FEMMES NB

IN THIS ISSUE:

Featured Article:
International Women’s Day

In the News:
    - Family Plan summit held on advancing women’s equality
    - Trades & Tech Gala for Girls – Sussex

Parting Thoughts

International Women's Day

Premier Brian Gallant, who is also the minister responsible for Women's Equality, is marking International Women’s Day by celebrating the role women play in New Brunswick’s social and economic development.

“Studies show that advancing gender equality strengthens our economy and improves the quality of life for our families,” said Gallant.

This year, Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day is Equality Matters. The theme recognizes women’s achievements and acknowledges the challenges women continue to face in the quest for gender equality. It also reminds Canadians of the extraordinary potential of Canadian women and of the work that remains to be done to remove barriers and close the gender wage gap.

“Advancing gender equality is the right thing to do, and it will help grow our economy, strengthen our education systems, and improve health care,” said Gallant.

New Brunswickers are invited to make a commitment to gender equality on this International Women’s Day, and share it on social media using the hashtag #EqualityMatters.

People are also encouraged to participate in related activities being held around the province today and throughout the month. Event information is available online.

“Together, let us celebrate the contributions of women and, yet again, commit to reaching gender equality; after all, equality matters,” said Gallant.

News Release

Other News

Family Plan summit held on advancing women’s equality

Premier Brian Gallant, who is also minister responsible for Women’s Equality, thanked participants of the New Brunswick Family Plan summit on advancing women’s equality today in Fredericton.

“Studies show that advancing gender equality strengthens our economy and improves the health of our families,” said Gallant. “Advancing gender equality is the right thing to do, and it will help grow our economy, strengthen our education systems, and improve health care.”

The summit brought together stakeholders and representatives who support initiatives to advance women’s equality, including New Brunswick’s first female minister of finance, Cathy Rogers.

Discussions focused on advancing women’s equality through areas of focus outlined in the New Brunswick Family Plan Framework.

Provincial government initiatives to advance women’s equality include:

• Appointing more than 50 per cent of women on government agencies, boards and commissions.
• Promoting women to positions of influence, including the Clerk of the Executive Council Office.
• Using gender-based analysis in policy decisions.
• Promoting gender-neutral names for position titles across government positions.
• Supporting women in politics.
• Advancing the status of women and gender diversity.
• Reinstating funding and ensuring the independence of the New Brunswick Women’s Council.
• Committing $35 million to help further pay equity for more than 3,000 people.
• Encouraging pay equity in the private sector, crown corporations and unions.
• Enhancing reproductive choices, including access to abortion, gender-confirming surgeries and birth certificate changes.
• Expanding access to daycare spaces by 2,300 since October 2014 and doubling the daycare assistance budget for January 2018 to allow more women to participate in the workforce.
• Increasing minimum wage to $11 an hour on April 1 to support women, who make up more than half of minimum wage earners in the province.
• Introducing the Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Act to provide victims with additional tools to increase their safety while they seek more permanent solutions.
• Providing support for the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The recently-launched New Brunswick Family Plan Framework is intended to complement the Economic Growth Plan and 10-year education plans and aims to ensure that families are supported, resulting in a healthier province. In addition to today’s summit on advancing women’s equality, six other summits focused on the remaining areas of the Family Plan have been held.

The New Brunswick Family Plan Framework focuses government action in seven priority areas: improving access to primary and acute care; promoting wellness; supporting people with mental health challenges; fostering healthy aging and support for seniors; advancing women’s equality; reducing poverty; and supporting people with disabilities.

Women for 50% Conference - Fredericton. An unprecedented full-day gathering of New Brunswick women and men, coming together to commit to gender balance in elected office and encourage more women to run in 2018. April 6 from 9:00-4:30pm at Richard J. Currie Center. To register or for more info, please visit https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/women-for-50-conference-conference-femmes-pour-50-registration-31510726431.

Parting Thoughts

“When a woman rises up in glory, her energy is magnetic and her sense of possibility contagious.”

- Marianne Williamson, A Woman's Worth

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