National Funding to Study Women’s Unpaid

STATUS OF WOMEN-–National Funding to Study Women’s Unpaid Caregiving

The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women and the Maritime Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health have secured over $1.7 million from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research to examine the impact of Canadian women’s unpaid caregiving.

The collaborative research program is called "A Healthy Balance."

"Fundamental to women’s equality is the role they play in providing care to children, spouses, people with disabilities, and seniors throughout their lives," said Brigitte Neumann, acting executive director of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women. “We believe it affects their health and economic security in many stages of life and must be addressed.”

The project explores issues related to women’s unpaid caregiving work, including positive and negative health impacts and economic consequences. It will deal with unpaid caregiving work throughout life, including caregiving combined with employment.

This five-year partnership also involves Dalhousie University, the IWK Health Centre, scholars at Mount Saint Vincent University, think tanks, other universities, governments and service providers. The program will attract both national and international interest.

"Congratulations are in order to all the project partners in bringing this proposal to fruition," said Jane Purves, Minister responsible for the Status of Women. "This innovative research program is an important contribution to Nova Scotia’s research capacity and will benefit all Nova Scotians."

Women are more likely than men to experience both the joys and stresses of caregiving throughout their lifespan.

"And research is needed to provide concrete information on policies and programs that can address unpaid caregiving and its impacts," said Carol Amaratunga, executive director of the Maritime Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health.

Ms. Amaratunga said research indicates that one in eight Canadians is a caregiver and many are experiencing both health and economic hardships as a result.

The program’s goal is to foster a healthy balance between women’s health and well-being, family life and earning a livelihood.

"The Healthy Balance Research Program will strive to make a difference in the lives and health of all Nova Scotians, whose health lags behind the rest of Canadians, by exploring how, as a society, we can achieve a better balance between health and work, and in providing care to loved ones," explained Amaratunga.

"We are excited to make this announcement during Family Caregiver’s Week and with Mother’s Day a few days away," said Ms. Neumann. The study and recognition of women’s unpaid caregiving is important to the well-being of all Nova Scotians.”