The theme of Women’s Worlds 2011 is “Inclusions, exclusions, and seclusions: Living in a globalized world”. Why? Where globalization and women are concerned, provocative questions abound: Does globalization include, exclude, and/or seclude women? As global hierarchies realign, how are gender roles and identities evolving? How are social identifications like power, privilege, citizenship, and nation affected? Ours is an increasingly integrated world – one where boundaries are shifting under growing flows of capital, goods, power … and people. Who and where we are as individuals and communities becomes less clear within this contemporary, globalized context. Around the world, women are grappling with changing political, cultural, economic, social, and environmental realities. And the effects of numerous crises – be they economic, ecological, or health-related – intensify obstacles to women’s equality. Globalization has contributed to the destabilization and marginalization of women and communities. Yet certain consequences have yielded positive results for women. Globalization has meant enhanced communications and organizing – trans-national connectivity that must be deepened as women’s organizations and networks struggle to sustain themselves and maintain resilience in the face of forces that oppose women's equality. Women’s Worlds 2011 will be a place for the exploration of these complex matters through reflection, learning, and sharing a variety of ideas and experiences – especially those of women most deeply affected. http://www.womensworlds.ca/registration
This is a link to a blog that we liked called So when does an issue become feminist? It's written by Jessica Yee who is a multiracial youth of Native descent who was called to the line of action by raising controversy in her Catholic school and began volunteering at Homeward Family Shelter at the age of 12. Now at 23, she is a proud Mohawk young woman whose work has spanned across North America to focus on issues of healthy sexuality, reproductive justice, youth empowerment, and cultural competency, as the founder and director of the Native Youth Sexual Health Network. Jessica is the 2009 recipient of the YWCA Young Woman of Distinction award. She is currently teaching with the Alberta Society for the Promotion of Sexual Health and is the National Youth Coordinator for the Taking Action Project! Art and Aboriginal Youth Leadership for HIV Prevention. Find it here: http://www.rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/jessica-yee/2010/05/so-when-does-issue-become-feminist
Is the ‘F’ word co-opted by conservatives & consumerist media? Where are real icons & core values? On The Issues Magazine, Winter 2011, considers feminist icons, feminist values and feminist cons. The Rise of Enlightened Sexism by Susan J. Douglashttp://www.ontheissuesmagazine.com/2011winter/2011_winter_Douglas.php
Click this link to see a list of the top 35 Amazing Canadian Women by Canadian Living.
http://www.canadianliving.com/life/community/35_amazing_canadian_women_2.php
As political figures go, Ralph Klein isn't an obvious poster boy for the Persons Case, celebrated every year on Oct. 18 in honour of the day in 1929 when Canadian women were finally declared persons under the law. But I think he may actually have spoken for many women when he confessed upon retiring four years ago that politics was "a bloodsport" and "a young man's game."
The regrettably common characterization has inspired Equal Voice, a multi-partisan national organization working to increase the number of elected women in Canada, to invite all parties in the House of Commons to "elevate the debate" on Tuesday, Oct. 19, in recognition of the historic anniversary.
The dirty, knock 'em down antics of question period have received a lot of attention in recent weeks, with observers from both inside and outside the House commenting on the disservice that such bloodsport does to politics and policy-making in this country.
And if even the battle-toughened Alberta leader eventually felt unfit for the fight, it's not surprising that many Canadian women judge the tenor and tactics of parliamentary debate distinctly unappealing. Given the persistent under-representation of women in politics (22 per cent in the House of Commons today, and not quite 30 per cent in the Senate), this is a problem.
But not just for women. Nearly two Canadians in three (64.6 per cent) recently told pollster Nick Nanos that they believe improved behaviour in question period would have a positive impact on Parliament.
How could it not?
The shouting, interrupting and hurling of insults renders the atmosphere both childish and belittling, a snake pit that's as toxic as it is unproductive.
As the most visible face of federal politics for most Canadians outside of Ottawa, the daily exercise is contributing to widespread citizen disenchantment with politicians and government. And the "young man's game" perception is one that especially resonates with women.
Carolyn Bennett, long-time MP and no shrinking violet, admitted recently on national radio to being knocked off her game due to needless outbursts from her male colleagues when she was asking a question about pregnant women's access to the H1N1 vaccine. On the same show, former MP Deb Gray, famous for her straight talking, no-nonsense style, characterized the environment as "pathetic" and suggested that MPs start losing a day's pay for personal attacks and other inappropriate behaviour in the House. And earlier this year, former deputy prime minister Anne McLellan spoke publicly about how difficult it is to recruit and retain women in a confrontational and overly partisan environment.
There are exceptions to the rule, of course: some women can give as good as they get, and surviving the daily barrage merely fuels their fire. Others note that many male MPs demonstrate great restraint in question period and are as discomfited by the invective as their female counterparts. And yet evidence is mounting that the current political culture especially undermines women's attraction to and experience of elected office.
For these reasons, we've invited all MPs to be passionate, to be tough, but to eliminate the distracting and belittling behaviour that has come to define question period. Members of all parties have repeatedly said they want to improve the tone and tenor in the House; by proposing a multi-lateral ceasefire, we're giving them the chance to show Canadians their commitment to a different kind of debate.
We're also providing some incentive. Research has found that young people's early impressions of politics dramatically affect their future political aspirations.
They're turned off by alienating behaviour that prevents them from imagining themselves in similar roles. So we've invited more than 100 potential future parliamentarians to the Hill as witnesses. These youth will get to see, up close and personal, what we hope will be a different kind of question period: one replete with ideas and intelligent debate, and devoid of cheap one-liners and gotcha politics.
With any luck, they'll leave inspired, invigorated and engaged. They'll see that it's possible to reason with passion but still respect one's colleagues and honour the complexities of an issue. They may even conclude that the overwhelming majority of their MPs are exemplary citizens who care deeply about Canada, its citizens, and even each other.
And if we're really lucky, some of the best and the brightest, girls as well as boys, might even consider the opportunity to make change through elected office as a truly honourable and attractive prospect -- because they can envision themselves sharing their nation-improving ideas, as opposed to humiliating their opponents through catcalls and jeers.
I look forward to that, and to the day when a retiring premier or prime minister remarks with wonder that once upon a time, Canadian politics was considered a young man's blood sport, but she never experienced that.
Nancy Peckford, the executive director of Equal Voice, grew up in a very politically engaged family where evening meals were characterized by vigorous but respectful debates.
Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/have+ceasefire+question+period/3680979/story.html#ixzz12ZIRhrgb
This summer, I have been fortunate to team up with Mary Anne Carter under the direction of Equal Voice’s Communications and Membership Liaison, Giovanna Mingarelli, to form an Equal Voice Chapter at Carleton University. The main purpose of the Equal Voice Carleton Chapter is to promote and support the participation of young women in the realm of Canadian politics. Living in a patriarchal society, it is important to note that while Canada’s population has an approximate male to female ratio of 1:1, roughly three quarters of all Members of Parliament are male, while slightly less than one quarter of MPs are female. As a result Canadian women find themselves underrepresented in the political process. Accordingly, Equal Voice seeks to encourage the election of more women to all levels of Canadian politics and government.
The creation of an Equal Voice Chapter at Carleton would reinforce our student body’s commitment to equal opportunity in Canadian politics and society. The city of Ottawa provides students attending its Capital University a wide range of opportunities to get politically active, whether on Parliament Hill or in a political science classroom; I feel that the launch of a Carleton Chapter would benefit CU students tremendously. From hearing guest lecturers, to talking over wine and cheese, the Equal Voice Chapter at Carleton University aims to strengthen student involvement in politics. That is, the Equal Voice Chapter would work to enable university students another means of networking with members of Parliament.
The Carleton Equal Voice Chapter aspires to hold two events; a launch event in November and one to follow in March, along with four workshops featuring guest speakers, who will be speaking on various issues regarding women in politics. Student participation is highly encouraged as these events aim to engage students and invoke political involvement and awareness.
For more information pertaining to the Equal Voice Carleton Chapter, please contact Mary Anne Carter or visit the Equal Voice website to join a Chapter near you!
Sincerely,
Paroma Ray
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