March 2, 2012

Winnipeg's International Women's Day March 2012

City Hall, 510 Main Street
March 8, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Free
All are invited to attend.

Come out and celebrate International Women's Day! 
This year's theme is "Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures." 

The rally begins at 5:30 pm at City Hall and the march sets out at 6:00 pm down 
Main Street and Broadway to Union Centre, 275 Broadway, for speeches and 
refreshments in the Union Centre Auditorium. 

Come out with your signs and noisemakers in support of girls' and women's struggles and successes here and around the world! 


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For those of you wanting to make signs, or other crafts, for the march, 
the West Central Women's Resource Centre is kindly opening their doors 
on March 5 from 1 pm - 4 pm and March 7 from 10 am - 12 pm.


If you were to make a sign for the march, what could it say? 

The fastest growing prison population worldwide is women, and in particular, racialized, young, poor women and girls with mental and cognitive disabilities. The increasing number of women in prison is clearly linked to the evisceration of health, education, and social services.
Elizabeth Fry Society


In 2008, over 11,000 sexual assaults of girls under the age of 18 were reported to police in Canada. Since only about 10% of assaults are reported, the actual number is much higher. 
82% of all victims [of sexual offences] under the age of 18 are female.
Canadian Women’s Foundation


Investing in girls is smart. It is central to boosting development, breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty, and allowing girls, and then women - 50 percent of the world’s population - to lead better, fairer, and more productive lives.
Robert B. Zoellick, President of The World Bank Group, 2011


Nearly all countries are now legally bound to respect, protect, and fulfill women’s and girls’ rights as set out in two treaties: the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. But in many countries and communities girls and young women still experience discrimination and abuse, and many of the public policy measures introduced to redress these issues are not enforced.
Girls Count, The Centre for Global Development, 2009

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UNPAC to Release Second Equality Report Card

On March 8 UNPAC will be releasing Manitoba’s Equality Report Card. Last released in 2010, the Report Card examines the progress of the Manitoba Government in meeting the equality commitments to women laid out in the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
The report will be released at 11:30 am on the front steps of the Legislature building.

For more information please contact 
Jennifer deGroot at 772-7876 or Dr. Lorna Turnbull at 474- 6132.

email:  Lorie English, Project Coordinator
UNPAC, 60 Maryland Street, Winnipeg, MB  R3G 1K7
204.772.7876

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update March 8 

Manitoba Remains at a C+ on Women’s Equality


This morning, on the front steps of the Legislative Building, Manitobans gathered for the release of the second Manitoba Equality Report Card. The Report Card grades the provincial government on their progress in meeting the recommendations set out in the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). 

The Government received an overall grade of C+, the same grade that they received in 2010.

The province saw improvements in the area of women’s health, due largely to the new Women’s Health Strategy that specifically addresses the needs of women, and the opening of the new Birth Centre in Winnipeg. 

However, grades for Decision Making, Violence Against Women and Childcare saw a decline. Childcare earned an incomplete grade – a statement that says that without immediate action the province will have failed to meet the needs of families in Manitoba. 
A new category – Rural and Northern Issues – calls attention to the increased isolation and limited access to resources of women living outside of urban settings.

The report was coordinated by UNPAC - an organization of Manitoba women committed to equality and empowerment – with contributions from several other organizations.

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Celebrate International Women’s Day at MAWA’s 4th annual Craftstravaganza!

March 10, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
MAWA, 611 Main St.
949-9490

Featuring craftswomen from around the world who will be sharing their skills. 
African basket weaving, Bhutanese knitting and more! 

Free! Materials and international snacks provided!
All genders, ages, and experience levels welcome!

This event is supported by the Provincial Minister responsible for the Status of Women and Minister of Labour and Immigration, Jennifer Howard; and Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM).

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