For Immediate Release
October 27, 2015 – St. John’s, NL
Historic All Party Debate on the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador
The St. John’s Status of Women Council (SJSWC) is hosting a debate on the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador on Monday, November 2 at 8:00 p.m. at the LSPU Hall in St. John’s. The debate is free and open to the public.
“We are so pleased to be partnering with CBC Newfoundland and Labrador to broadcast this historic debate so that it will be accessible to everyone in the province,” said Jenny Wright, Executive Director of the SJSWC. “Issues facing women in the federal election were all but ignored and we are quite proud of our political leaders for agreeing to engage in issues that affect 51 per cent of the population.”
The debate will be moderated by CBC’s Debbie Cooper. Ms. Cooper will be joined by an all-woman panel of journalists, Linda Swain (VOCM), Ashley Fitzpatrick (The Telegram), and Zaren Healey White (VOCM).
“I am very much looking forward to the first ever provincial all-party debate hosted by the St. John’s Status of Women Council in Newfoundland and Labrador and addressing issues of importance to the women of our province. Opportunities for dialogue, such as this, help to generate ideas and input that prove invaluable in advancing the agenda of women in Newfoundland and Labrador. Topics such as violence against women, poverty, equality, leadership and women’s participation in the political process are important to us all, and this important discussion will lend to strengthening our community and the initiatives which are focused on the women of our province.”
-The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The 20th century saw tremendous advances in women’s equality that were hard fought and won by women for women. Today the fight for equality is not over so long as issues like violence against women and women’s under representation in leadership roles remain. I am honoured to take part in a debate about the status of women. Women’s equality benefits us all.”
– Dwight Ball MHA, Leader of the Official Opposition and leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“I agreed to participate in the women’s debate because we still have a long way to go to achieve gender equity, gender-based violence is at a crisis level, and too many elderly women are living alone in poverty. These issues require the attention of political leaders of all stripes.”
– Earle McCurdy, Leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party
About the St. John’s Status of Women Council
The St. John’s Status of Women Council (SJSWC) is a feminist organization that since 1972 has continually worked to achieve equality and justice through political activism, community collaboration and the creation of a safe and inclusive space for all women in the St. John’s area. The SJSWC operates the St. John’s Women’s Centre, Marguerite’s Place Supportive Housing and Safe Harbour Outreach Project (SHOP).
sjwomencentre.ca
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Media Contact: Jenny Wright
Executive Director
St. John’s Status of Women Council
Email: jenny@sjwomenscentre.ca
Tel. (709) 753-0220