March 8, 2019
Province Recognizes International Women's Day
– – –Opportunity to Celebrate Success, Assess Challenges that Remain: Premier
The Manitoba government is recognizing International Women’s Day by celebrating women’s accomplishments and continuing its work toward better balance in government, Premier Brian Pallister and Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for the status of women, announced today.
“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate our economic, social and political advancements, while assessing the challenges that remain,” said Pallister. “This year’s campaign theme – Balance for Better – is a call to all sectors of society to consider how their actions, policies and structures can contribute to gender equality.”
The premier and minister noted the Manitoba government has taken a leadership role in addressing harassment in the workplace for government employees, and has initiated a ‘no wrong door’ policy for employees to bring forward concerns. Last year, the province released two reports looking at sexual harassment, harassment and respectful workplace policies and procedures in the civil service. The province has also introduced legislation to strengthen and standardize municipal council codes of conduct.
“Our government is leading by example and remain steadfast in our commitment to addressing harassment in the workplace,” said Squires. “We have been working to meet all recommendations identified through multiple consultations and all recommendations will be implemented within the next 12 months.”
The Manitoba government has also created a Gender Based Violence Committee of Cabinet, which Squires chairs, in an effort to help integrate services and take a government-wide approach to co-ordinate policies, legislation and initiatives on pervasive issues such as domestic and sexual violence and harassment.
According to Statistics Canada, female executives earned 68 cents for every dollar their male counterparts earned in 2017. The wage gap exists for women across Canada. In 2018, women in Manitoba aged 15 and older made 88.5 cents for every dollar earned by men.
“These statistics are indicative of trends throughout Canada,” said Squires. “However, research suggests that inclusion, be it in boards or leadership roles, leads to stronger outcomes overall.”
The minister noted that since being elected in 2016 there are now more women than ever serving on government agencies, boards and commissions, with 51 per cent of all new appointees being female.
In Manitoba, other recent measures to improve gender balance include:
- The Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Act, which was enacted in 2017 and requires all institutions to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to respond when a student reports an incident of sexual violence;
- a $25,000 grant to support women in trades announced in January of this year;
- scholarship support to advance women in under-represented areas in partnership with the Nellie McClung Foundation; and
- support to the Manitoba Women’s Centre to advance women on boards.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, while also marking a call to action for accelerating gender balance. Follow the conversation online at #IWD2019 and #BalanceforBetter.
The minister will be taking part in multiple IWD celebrations across Winnipeg including hosting a panel discussion this evening to celebrate women’s contributions to research and profile women specific research, such as heart health and osteoporosis.
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