Manitoba receives low grade on women’s equality

Childcare scores low, health ranks high

Manitoba has made little improvement in the areas of women’s equality, according to a new report.

The UN Platform for Action Committee (UNPAC), a provincial women’s group, released their second Manitoba Equality Report Card March 8, leveling the province with a C+ grade - the same grade it received two years ago.

Jennifer deGroot, executive director for UNPAC, said a lot of people either don’t know the problems facing women in Manitoba, or just don’t talk about it.

“People assume that women have equality in Canada. It’s not something that we hear talked about in the media - it’s just not a very nice topic at the moment,” deGroot said.

“Women as a group make up more than half the population, and they face much inequality here in Manitoba. The government has taken some good steps, but we think that the government can speak louder about our needs and what has to be done at a policy level.”

The report, released in conjunction with International Women’s Day, is based off of the progress the province has made towards equality. The report card grades the provincial government on their progress in providing equal treatment of men and women, as set out by the United Nations.

The lowest grade the province received was in childcare, which received a grade of “incomplete.”

According to the report, childcare access remains at 24 per cent for preschool children and just 10 per cent for school-aged children.

Michelle Hendrix, a 27-year-old student with a son, said she applied for daycare while she was pregnant, but didn’t get in.

“I’ve heard how hard it was to get into the daycare system, but I didn’t realize until I saw the waiting list,” Hendrix said. “I had to make special arrangements to keep my kid safe while I go to school.”

The province, however, did score better in health, jumping to an A grade from a B in 2010.

According to the report, most women reported to be in “excellent” or “very good” health.

The report noted the province’s Women’s Health Strategy for the improved score.

Released in June 2011, the strategy is based on consultations with women across the province. It aims to expand women-focused healthcare, including increased options for birthing and supporting specific populations like new immigrants and aboriginal women.

The Women’s Health Clinic was also completed last year, which is supposed to address many of the special needs that women require or want. The centre delivered its first baby in December last year.

Fiona Green, professor of women’s and gender studies at the University of Winnipeg, said there is a great deal the government needs to do before we have equality.

For example, she argued, there is still a shortage of midwives in the province, despite the new birthing centre.

“I would argue with the report giving an ‘A’ in Health,” she said.

“The government needs to support families in whatever form they take, and not just supporting certain kinds of families. And the (way they) should support families (should be a way that) doesn’t seem like they are under surveillance - people worry that child services will swoop in and take their kids if they ask for help.”

Jennifer Howard, provincial minister of family services and labour, was to meet on Monday, March 19 with deGroot and UNPAC to discuss the results of the report.

The province could not be reached for a comment.

Published in Volume 66, Number 24 of The Uniter (March 21, 2012)

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