Volume 1 Number 1 March 1980 the Manitoba Women’s newspaper Candidates cringe, feminists fume by Tanya Lester Less than a week before the pertaining to the establishment of recent federal election, sManitoba women uniform divorce laws across the country were given the opportunity to measure because of "personal" reasons. It can the weaknesses and strengths of the only be assumed that, influenced by his three major political parties' policies religions background, he is opposed to concerning rights for 51% of the country's divorce entirely. In parliament, it would population. be absurd to assume Epp would even At least, it has to be assumed the three discuss making divorce laws equal men -- Jake Epp, Stanley Knowles, and throughout the provinces. Lloyd Axworthy -who participated in the When asked his views on making debate, sponsored by the Action therapeutic abortions equally accessible Committee on the Status of Women to women in all parts of Canada, Epp (MACSW) and held February 12, were admitted to being a Pro-Life member, representative of their respective parties. which is an organization passionately With the possible exception of Epp from against permitting abortion for any the Conservatives, these members of reason. parliament are often supported for their Nor did he relent after having his personal popularity-rather than their party arguments refuted by feminist Leslie affiliation.Their constituents tend to vote Campbell. But he did say his party for Stanley or Lloyd, not for . '.'would leave abortion up to the the NDP or Liberals. conscience of the individual." However, But according to Sally Shoo(el, if the "individual "should choose to have chairperson and the evening's moderator, an abortion, men at the explain where the politicians were not picked to be she would, "We get it if facilities were "roasted". "These are powerful men not available in her area. The provincial within their parties," Shrofel said. wing of his party refuses to finance a "Hopefully, they will become our allies in reproductive center for Manitoba. Ottawa. We can go to them afterwards Epp skirted the issue of women and say remember when you said this." receiving' equal pay for work of equal As a result, the debate turned into more value to that done by their male co- of an"ask the candidates" night. However, workers. He said his department (until the format did not matter so much as the the election he was Minister of Indian. responses MACSW and the three and Northern Affairs) had re-examined feminist panelists were able to solicit from the positions female employers the men. And considering they are all Occupied in it. He felt the government politicians, the MPs were coaxed into could "use the power of example" to saying quite a bit. influence other employers into Judging from the answers Epp was giving advancing women to higher positions concerning the six women's issues with bigger paycheques. Although addressed- during the debate, he was Clark's government has to be definitely the most unsympathetic of the commended for giving women better three men concerning rights for women. positions in the civil service, Epp made He refused to answer a .question a false assumption. Without laws, continued 7 Women at work, women against violence Winnipeg celebrates Women's Day by Martina Freitag Winnipeg women's groups shook off the winter doldrums in good time for plenty of march. discrimination were all touched upon. International Women's Day celebrations this "Women unite and take back the night" the The Nelly McLung Theatre Group and year. poster called out, and the coalition of musician Barb Dennett kept the University The Women's Building started its first Women Against Violence certainly were of Manitoba campus hopping with not one " The women birthday celebrations with a premiere successful during the march along Portage but two recitals there apiece, as the U of M performance of the Painted Ladies rendition Avenue on March 8. The Winnipeg Women in the Law committee an .the U of chanted, Yes of "Women at Work" and a fundraising dinner Committee Against Violence Towards M Women's Centre sponsored these and on March 7th. Workshops from the Women In Women (as it's formally known) and the other activities,. CJUM radio, also situated Trades, a social Sunday . brunch and open University of Winnipeg Women's means yes, No house rounded out their presentations. Awareness Centre co-sponsored that on campus, had a very successful day of Perhaps the most exciting event for these of event. - women's music means no, us who remember last year's march (and The violence against women theme was March 7th. Earlier in the week the Painted those who note with horror the increasing also played out in the Web.b Place YWCA Ladies featured the Manitoba premiere of" However we attacks on women in their areas) was the panel discussion on different aspects of The Late Snow, Manitoba's first all lesbian reclaim the night violence against women. play And just wait until next year! Or, to dress, Wherever Sexual harassment, rape and battering, say it more rhetorically, "the struggle racism, war and facism, povertv and continues." we go! The Manitoba Women's Newspaper March 15, 1980 Page 2 commercials viewed objectional, the journal points out. WOMEN'S ORGANSATIONS Nelligrams have estimated that Ontario employers gain well over 3 million extra profits every year by-paying ONE OUT OF TEN Canadian draws upon us. Union lobbying less than men for work of equal women -- an estimated 50,000 would put some pressure on the value, according to Union women are beaten by husbands federal government over these Women. or housemates, a recently points, the conference decided.. Present legislation guarantees Bulletins released report shows. The DOMESTICS WORKERS have equal pay for equal work, not advisory Council on the Status of formed a full-scale joint work of equal value. In landmark Success Seminar for Women in Women report says women have lobbying group to force the Gays for Equality case in the Maritimes, 6 Counselling Unit is sponsoring Business: Wednesday, April 9, few alternatiVes in leaving these federal government to ensure registered nurses . for the first a lecture tour on the topic of 8:15 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m., Winnipeg situations police are hesitant to immigrant women basic rights time won equal pay from the "Homosexulity in the Convention Centre. interfere in family disputes, and such as minimum wages, set federal government for doing Family". Seminar Leader: Dru Scott, Ph.D. Canadain law states that a hours of work and overtime pay. Registration fee: $60. Call essentially the same work as woman cannot prosecute her "The most obvious example of Tuesday,. March 18", 11:40 943-6461 for further male health technicians. husband for rape. The report exploitation in the paid .a.m., University of Manitoba, information. Hopefully this trend will continue suggested directing more money workforce is domestics," Rooms 343-544, University Women's Employment in other cases... to transition houses and Francis Gregory, a Centre. Counselling Service and the compiled by Marlina Freitag distributing more information spokesperson for a Toronto Women's Bureau are Thursday, March 20, 8:00 cosponsoring an" 8 week pamphlets as two short term group told a recent Ottawa p.m., Brandon University. exploration course on "PreTrades organizing meeting. solutions. Training for Women" in April or WOMEN TODAY must continue CANADIAN ADVERTISORS Speaker: Betty Fairchild, May. Call 943-0473 or 944-3476 to fight for equality in the are gearing up to fight the founder of the Parents of for further information. workplace but the added sexism "censors", a January Gays Organizations. The Caesarean Birth Support responsibility of battling the public issue of a trade magazine Group is surveying parents' sector's layoffs and cutbacks "reports. attitudes toward their Caesarean have hurt women more than men. "Advertising is facing a new and The Manitoba Action birth in Manitoab hospitals. If you This was the message received serious threat at this time from Committee on the Status of have had a child by caesarean Women is sponsoring three to by 75 delegates who attended a those women who seem to section and are willing to four evening sessions on: complete a questionaire or simply Portage La Prairie conference believe that advertising should "Feminism: what that means require further information, call be forced to help women in their sponsored by the Canadian for me and how it affects my Lois at 284-5428 after 5 (outside Union of Public Employees fight for equality," the January The Manitoba Women's life". of Winnipeg call collect) or write: 28 issue of Marketing reads. (CUPE) Equal Rights" and Newspaper thanks the people First session: Wednesday, P.O. Box 164, Postal Station A, Opportunities committee last The Canadian Radio and whose generosity made this March 26th, 7:30 p.m., Winnipeg, R3K 2AI. December. Women in the future Telecommunications issue possible. They are: Brian YWCA, 447 Webb Place, would be pressured even more to Commissions" task force on sex Dewalt, Linda Gouriluk, Winnipeg. stay at home and out of the job stereotyping in the broad cast Maude Lelond, Michael Facilitator: Brenda Elliott market, as the predicted media found 32 out of 35 McEvoy, Claris Nicholson, Registration: Call 943-0381 economic depression current and The Uniter election poll. (ext. 44). No fee. Congratulations on your achievement! -- .~ Life, Health, Group Insurance, Annuities, The Winnipeg Committee Pension Plans Against Violence towards Women is spo.., MRS. SIMONE SCOTT weekend seminar on VIOLENCE TOWARDS WOMEN AT Field Underwriter The Women's Building NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY 730 Alexander Ave. 1616 Richardson Bldg. 1 Lombard Place March 28,29, 30.