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Women Femmes NB is sent out twice a month by the provincial government Women's Issues Branch. It provides news related to equality issues, including events, studies, initiatives and information from women's groups, governments, universities, etc.
Text from non-governmental sources will be published in the language(s) in which it is provided.
Women Femmes NB
August 17, 2011IN THIS ISSUE:
- CANCER IN NEW BRUNSWICK IN 2008
- NOTICES
- THOSE WHO WOULD DISADVANTAGE PREGNANT WOMEN
- AFTER THE VIOLENCE
- MOVING FORWARD PROGRAM - HEALING FROM THE EFFECTS OF WOMAN ABUSE
- FAIRER HOUSING ADS
- TO EARN AS MUCH AS MEN WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE…
- UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES
- RETHINKING SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
CANCER IN NEW BRUNSWICK IN 2008
Females: 1,900 new cases of cancer. That is a rate of 506 cases per 100,000 females, a noted improvement from the previous year. Slightly over half of the new cases (1000 of the 1,900 cases) were women aged 65 & over.
Males: 2,500 new cases of cancer. That is a rate of 682 cases per 100,000, a deterioration from the previous year. 60% of the cases (1,500 of the 2,500) were men aged 65 & over.
The most frequent type of new cases of cancer in N.B. in 2008:
- Females: breast, 503 new cases.
- Males: prostate, 816 new cases.
The second most frequent type for both sexes was lung cancer.
- Cancer Incidence in Canada, http://bit.ly/ofRTNC
NOTICES
Men's Anger Management - 30-hr program on successful ways to interact, for anger issues in the family though it applies to all relationships. Sundays, 2 Oct. to 11 Dec 2011, 5–8pm. $250 + fee for 1-on-1 interview. Mark Nicholson. Family Enrichment F'ton [email protected] Find out more at free introduction session, Wed 21 Sept, 12-1pm, 618 Queen St, Fredericton.
Assertive Communication - 15-hr program in Sept-Oct 2011. How to increase quality of your messages & listen more effectively. Saturdays 1–3:30pm; Thurs 5–7:30pm; or Fri 1:30–4pm. $175. Anne Marie Hartford. Family Enrichment F'ton http://bit.ly/qnLmCj; [email protected] Find out more at free Introduction session, Fri 23 Sept, 12–1pm, 618 Queen St, Fredericton.
Take Back The Night March – Fri 23 Sept 2011, 8-11pm. Fredericton City Hall - Public protest by women for women, reacting to sexual violence incidence & victim blaming. Not every woman has been sexually assaulted, but every woman has been taught to fear it. F'ton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre.
First Nations 101 - a 288-page primer on the lives of First Nations people. Subjects incl veterans, youth, urbanization, child welfare, questions to ask a First Nations person, feminism, the medicine wheel, language preservation. $20. Adaawx 2011. Invite author Lynda Gray to speak: http://bit.ly/ppTSyA
Sexual minority refugee determinations in Canada: The experience of bisexual claimants – new document, Metropolis, 2011. http://bit.ly/o4LvwI
Settlement Experiences of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Newcomers: Implications for Services in Large and Small Canadian Cities - View presentation by Brian O'Neill of UBC, via webcast, 24 Aug 2011, 1:30 to 3pm (NB time) For info and to view: http://bit.ly/mTweJy
Women's Summit, Gender Diversity in the Technological Workplace: Technology is Borderless - 14-15 Sept 2011, Ramada Plaza Hotel, Dieppe. Enterprise Greater Moncton. For female students, educators, business leaders, women in IT & skilled trades and men who get it. To demystify the technological sector, career opportunities; show how technology can contribute to career mobility; identify opportunities in Atlantic Canada. Agenda: http://bit.ly/oaTUzL
WOW! Conference with Janice Butler - KV Wesleyan Church, Hampton Rd, Quispamsis. 9 Sept 2011, 9-4pm, $40 incl lunch. Register: [email protected]; 466.5055; Women in Business NB.
Exceptional Board Governance – Workshop for board chairs, members & executive directors by Family Enrichment Fredericton, STU Forest Hill Conference Ctre, 19-21 Sept 2011, 5-8:30pm. $60. Register by 12 Sept: 1-888-829-6777; [email protected]; http://bit.ly/n72sQB
$$ for projects that improve accessibility for people with disabilities - Enabling Accessibility Fund Small Project Component. Submit proposals (up to $50,000) for modification of buildings or community use vehicles, or for information technologies. By 23 Sept 2011. www.hrsdc.gc.ca/disability; 1-866-268-2502.
THOSE WHO WOULD DISADVANTAGE PREGNANT WOMEN
The N.B. Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination (intentional or not) because a woman is or may become pregnant, in employment, housing, public services (restaurants, schools, insurance, malls).
Example of constructive dismissal: A pregnant full-time worker at a nursery had presented her employer with a note by her physician, which stated that she should not be spraying pesticides. The employer offered her a reduced work schedule of 2 days/ week, though there were a number of jobs suitable to her skill level. The employer was found to have discriminated against her by constructively dismissing her.
Example of discrimination in benefits: An employee notified her supervisor that she intended to take maternity and parental leave after the birth of her child. She also requested to apply some of her accumulated sick leave for the time after the delivery that she was unable to work for medical reasons. The employer denied her request for sick leave. Since pregnancy was the only reason for denying her sick leave benefits, the employer's action constituted sex discrimination.
- Excerpts, Guideline on Pregnancy Discrimination, N.B. Human Rights Commission June 2011. http://bit.ly/nySz7f
AFTER THE VIOLENCE
In N.B. in 2009-10, 863 women were admitted to a transition house. 74 went into Second Stage Housing. New Brunswick has 13 transition houses for women who are seeking shelter from relationship violence. They provide shelter for approx. 30 days. The 5 Second Stage Housing programs provide affordable housing for a year & individual & group support to women healing from such violence.
- Excerpts, Shelters for abused women in Canada, 2010, StatCan, June 27, 2011, http://bit.ly/ojfCdI
MOVING FORWARD PROGRAM - HEALING FROM THE EFFECTS OF WOMAN ABUSE
“This has been an excellent experience for me and my child. I have seen positive changes in her demeanor around home and everywhere. Her private counselor has noticed a difference and attributes it to her group experience”.
Moving Forward is a N.B. free, voluntary community-based group program that helps children ages 4 to 16 and their mothers to heal from the hurt of living with woman abuse in their family. It offers separate, yet complimentary, group experiences for children and their mothers. It's based on the highly acclaimed Community Group Program developed by Michelle Paddon and Susan Loosely through the Children's Aid Society of London & Middlesex, Ontario.
Although everyone heals at their own pace, having the chance to reflect with others about the experience of abuse can be very reassuring.
Children's groups cover such topics as: awareness of feelings, safety planning and positive problem solving. Group guidelines and trained facilitators help to create a safe, secure and predictable environment for children to share their experiences.
Mothers participate in an adult group during the same week their children are in the children's group. The Mother's Group offers moms an opportunity to reflect on how to support their children's healing and an opportunity to gain information and support in understanding the impact of the abuse on their children.
Assistance with childcare or transportation to the groups may be arranged if needed. Funded by the Executive Council Office, Women's Issues Branch. To participate or find out more:
- Fredericton: Liberty Lane Inc. 451-2120;
- Woodstock: Valley Outreach 328-9680
- Saint John Moving Forward 632-5775;
- Miramichi Family Violence Partnership Committee 778-6496
- Moncton Family Services Moncton Inc. 857-3258 ext. 41
- Edmundston Comité de la Violence Familiale du Nord-Ouest Inc. 263-1119; 740-1121
- Acadian Peninsula Services à la Famille de la Péninsule 727-1866
- Campbellton Restigouche Family Services Inc. 753-4161 (ext. 261)
- Sussex Committee for the Prevention of Family Violence 433-4842
FAIRER HOUSING ADS
The Ontario Human Rights Commission has asked media and websites to help prevent and remove discriminatory housing ads. They looked at 28 housing websites. Statements that openly discriminate: Adult building; Not suitable for children; Must have working income; Seeking mature couple; Perfect for female student… Good tenants are discouraged from applying - they think they won't be treated fairly.
The Commission offers an e-learning module on rights and housing and best practices: provide information on human rights in housing; include a non-discrimination clause on forms which landlords use to place ads; describe the unit, not the tenant: the rent & size of the unit, the building, and nearby services. Example: The wrong way: “Perfect apartment for a student” or “ideal for a single professional.” The right way: “Bright, cozy bachelor basement apartment, new cabinets, shared laundry in friendly 5-unit building. $750/ month incl. hydro. On 2 bus routes, close to university…”
Research shows that people living on social assistance, pensions or retirement income are just as likely to pay their rent as people who are working.
- Excerpts, Opening the door, 14 Jun 2011, http://bit.ly/pRefoJ; See the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission 2004 document, Guideline on Discrimination in the Housing Sector, http://bit.ly/os4Boi
TO EARN AS MUCH AS MEN WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE…
…women must obtain a doctoral degree (in the U.S.). Women with bachelor's degrees earn about as much as men with some college education but no degree. Women's earnings gaps have been diminishing, but there are still substantial gaps, unexplained by educational attainment or occupational choices. Women earn less than men, even when they work the same number of hours — a gap that persists across all levels of educational attainment.
A high school graduate can expect to earn $1.3 million on average over a lifetime, while a bachelor's degree-holder earns $2.3 million. That gap has widened over the years – people with bachelor's degrees earned 75% more over a lifetime than a high school graduate in 2002 – now they earn 84% more.
- The College Payoff report, Aug 2011. Report (11 MB): http://bit.ly/qIPTWi; Summary: http://bit.ly/qudu2a
UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES
It has been estimated that over 40% of pregnancies worldwide are unplanned, the result of non-use or ineffective use of contraception or of method failure. It is also estimated that if the need for family planning were fully met, 3 out of 4 unsafe abortions could be eliminated. Women are highly likely to have an induced abortion when faced with an unplanned pregnancy, irrespective of legal conditions… Legal restrictions increase the percentage of unlawful and unsafe procedures.
Deaths due to unsafe abortion remain close to 13% of all maternal deaths… World-wide, it is estimated 220 of every 100 000 women who get an unsafe abortion die. Even in developed countries, the case–fatality rate for unsafe abortion is 40 times higher than that for legal abortion…
In regions with less restrictive abortion laws, there are low rates of induced abortion and unsafe abortions are nonexistent or rare. Where the laws are restrictive, most abortions are unsafe and the combined induced abortion rates are high…
Unsafe abortion may be induced by the woman, by a nonmedical person under unhygienic conditions or by a health worker outside of prescribed facilities. Abortion attempts may involve insertion of an object into the uterus; a dilatation and curettage performed improperly; ingestion of harmful substances; or exertion of external force. There are signs that increased illicit - & often incorrect use of - medical abortion (use of a pharmaceutical drug), over other methods, nevertheless may lower the number of complications and maternal deaths.
- Excerpts, Global and regional estimates of the incidence of unsafe abortion and associated mortality, World Health Organization, 2011. http://bit.ly/qEyAkU
RETHINKING SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
In the past, sleeping arrangements at the Tatamagouche Centre (Nova Scotia) have been sex-segregated into male and female dorms. Sex-segregated dorms are problematic, says a co-coordinator of the camp. “It puts people on the spot, requires people to ‘out' themselves. This year we decided to do it differently … to make the space a safer, more accessible space for queer and trans people.” The Centre will implement non-gendered sleeping arrangements. Participants will be given the opportunity to self-identify their own gender.
- See TRANSitioning Spaces, Shay Enxuga, Halifax Metro, 2 Aug 2011, http://bit.ly/qRaG8g
IN PARTING
Some people grumble because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses.
- Alphonse Karr, 1808-1890, French journalist and novelist.