Women, Work and Care: Policy at the Crossroads

About 40 young and diverse women will have a direct channel to public policy-makers at a forum in Halifax later this week.

The women, all under 35 years of age, will examine four main policy areas: early learning and child care, maternity and parental leave, family-friendly workplaces, and dependent care. They will work with community organizations and policy-makers from select federal and provincial government departments to learn how to influence the policy process.

The policy forum is one component of Women, Work and Care: Policy at the Crossroads, a three-part event investigating issues affecting women's economic equality. The day-long forum is by invitation only but two free public sessions will allow more Nova Scotians to hear about, and discuss, the issues.

"We need more women involved in decision-making at all levels," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Status of Women Minister. "This event will show how women can work as citizens to influence decision-making."

Jane Jenson, professor of political science at the University of Montreal and McGill University and a 2005 Trudeau Fellow, will deliver a public lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 26, and will participate in the day-long forum on Oct. 27.

"Social policy supports the well-being of individuals and of the Canadian economy," said Dr. Jenson. "It must change, therefore, to be appropriate for the times and the challenges we face."

Traditionally, family policy issues have been seen as social-welfare issues. The forum will move beyond this by examining how early learning and child care, maternity and parental leave, and family-friendly workplace policy affect the economic independence of women in Nova Scotia.

The Oct. 27 policy forum will result in a report to government early in the new year.

The public events take place Wednesday, Oct. 26. The first, at 1:30 p.m., is a two-hour session featuring panellists with expertise in early childhood learning and care. It will be held at the Sobey Theatre, Saint Mary's University.

Then, at 6:30 p.m., Dr. Jenson will deliver her lecture about policy areas affecting women, work and care at Pier 21 in Halifax.

Women, Work and Care: Policy at the Crossroads is being organized by Nova Scotia's Round Table on Women's Economic Security. The round table was created by the Advisory Council on the Status of Women to foster collaborative relationships between government and community with a focus on women's economic well-being. Round table members represent a cross-section of provincial and federal government departments and community groups.