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Issues & Campaigns
CAUT Statement on International Women’s Day

(Sunday, March 8, 2009) On March 8th, the Canadian Association of University Teachers joins with our brothers and sisters across the country to celebrate the accomplishments of Canadian women activists who continue to fight for a more equitable society.

Our struggle to achieve equality is more important than ever. Over the past few years we have witnessed the erosion of the federal government’s commitment and willingness to ensure the political, social and economic rights of Canadian women. And now, it can not be clearer. The priorities identified in the 2009 Federal Budget fail to recognize women’s contributions to our nation’s economy. Prime Minister Harper’s refusal to allocate funding for child care services, the elimination of pay equity in the public sector and changes to the Employment Insurance system that do not benefit most working women threaten hard won gains and must be contested in the strongest terms.

Every economic downturn has a disproportionate affect on women. Lack of child care, precarious labour and low wages have for far too long made women economically vulnerable. Members of racialized groups, Aboriginal peoples and people with disabilities continue to experience marginalization and under-representation in jobs and higher education. We must come together in a concerted demand that our federal government make women’s economic security and equity a priority.