23rd Annual Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for the Status of Women

ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland and Labrador – Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women concluded their 23rd annual meeting today and focused priority attention on violence prevention for Aboriginal women. To improve the situation of Aboriginal women, Ministers agreed to take joint and/or individual government action: on access to programs and services, public education and awareness, capacity-building and policy enhancement according to their respective priorities and needs.

The Government of Canada, represented by the Honourable Liza Frulla, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for the Status of Women and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, represented by the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, co-chaired the meeting.

As part of their examination of women’s economic security, Ministers agreed to raise awareness and work with relevant colleagues on the gendered aspects of caregiving and its implications for women’s equality. Ministers were also updated on the work of the FPT Seniors Forum and agreed to continue to liaise on issues of shared interest specifically related to women’s health and well-being.

During their meeting, Ministers discussed the need to address the situation of women and children who have experienced domestic violence by working toward violence prevention in the long term, as well as, through the justice system and community action. They agreed to prepare an updated Statistical Profile on Violence Against Women, which builds on their 2002 report, Assessing Violence Against Women: A Statistical Profile. As well, Ministers discussed the renewal of health protection legislation and the importance of sex and gender implications in health legislation and programming.

Since their first meeting in 1981, Ministers have met annually to examine ways to advance equality for women and to exchange information on important issues affecting women in Canada, specifically in the areas of health, economic security, violence and human rights.

The next meeting of Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers is to be held in Saskatchewan in 2005.

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For more information contact:

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Status of Women Canada
(613) 995-7839

 

Kelly Foss
Women’s Policy Office
(709) 729-6225)