25 Years of Action for Women

Nova Scotia established its Advisory Council on the Status of Women 25 years ago. International Women's Day, March 8, is a good time for taking stock of the situation of women, which has improved in many ways since 1977. But much remains to be done.

"For example, when the council was first set up, woman abuse was not even on the radar screen," said Rita Warner, chair of the council. "We're proud to play a continuing role in raising public awareness and advocating for better government response to this horrendous problem. But our journey continues."

Education and training is another area where women have made enormous strides. Women have achieved parity in medicine, education, law and commerce, at least as far as student enrolment goes. But engineering, technology and trades still present big challenges, and the council is concerned about the continued accessibility of education, given rising tuition and debt loads.

"As a single parent myself, I know how hard it is to come up with the finances for of a university education," said Ms. Warner. "Many women are still doubly disadvantaged by factors such as racism, or other forms of prejudice and discrimination, not only in education but throughout their lives."

The current debate over reproductive technologies, the continuing spread of HIV/AIDS and women's concerns about the sustainability of our health-care system are all continuing issues on the council agenda. Women's paid work and unpaid care-giving in relation to their own health status is the focus of a research partnership with the Maritime Centre of Excellence on Women's Health.

The low representation of women in political life remains a huge challenge. However, there is now evidence from other jurisdictions, such as Scotland, that shows how more women can be attracted to politics.

"We plan to act on this front and to carry out a series of political workshops around the province in the coming year," concluded Ms. Warner. "We aim to make the Status of Women minister's job less lonely."

Lt.-Gov. Myra Freeman will host a reception in celebration of International Women's Day on Friday, March 8, at Government House. The reception will be an opportunity to recognize the efforts of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women and all women.

NOTE: A fact sheet, Women's Education in Nova Scotia:
25 Years of Change, is available online at www.gov.ns.ca/staw/pub.htm#fact .