One Woman Army

A poet? Not I!

I"m catching up on a few tagged posts right now that have fallen from my attention lately.

First, a poetry charanji courtesy of Princess Moodswing. The rules? It must begin with the ever-classic "Roses are red". Always a good beginning.

Roses are red,
The women are sad,
Status of Women is sinking
Let's protest till we're glad.

Haha yes, not my best but I've never been much of a poet. Prose is more my style.

To share the love, I'm tagging Buttercup, Carly and Kellybean.

All I want for Christmas

Dear Santa,

Its been quite a few years since I’ve written, but I’m sure to be on your good list this year! I’ve been so well-behaved - no name-calling, back-stabbing, putting gum in people’s hair - nothing like that. I’ve been an angel, so I’d like to ask for a few things for Christmas.

All I really want for Christmas is the funding to Status of Women Canada restored and equality put back in its mandate. If there’s one thing you can bring me - this is it! SWC has done so much for women’s equality in Canada over the years, and the work isn’t done yet. If you can’t do it on your own, how about getting every woman in Canada to email Bev Oda on Christmas Day to ask her for it as our Christmas gift? Here’s how to reach her: [email protected]

What else would I like for Christmas? A job that pays the same wage as my male friends, all wrapped up in a stocking with a big red bow.

The Court Challenges Program restored in Canada - how can we challenge the government on women’s equality without it?

A t-shirt for every day of the week - This is What a Feminist Looks Like! Wear it loud and wear it proud!

Safe streets to walk on, safe bars to dance in, safe drinks to drink. How hard is that? Can you get it for me by New Year’s Eve?

What I really want for Christmas? Time with my family and friends. A home to call my own. And the knowledge of what it used to be like to be a feminist - because in my Christmas gift, feminism is no longer needed since we’re living in a post-patriarchy.

Hey, I said I’d been good, so I figured I’d make my list big That’s what Christmas wishes are all about!

Happy Holidays everyone, whatever holiday you may be choosing to celebrate!

- Artemis

Women Are Angry...

And they have every right to be.

I’ve talked before about the cuts to Status of Women Canada.

$5 million dollars. That a whole 40% of its operating budget. This past week, the supposedly right honorable Minister Bev Oda, Minister responsible for Status of Women, announced the closure of three-quarters of the Status of Women offices in Canada. This effectively disables the organization - and with it women’s equality in Canada.

Oda said:

“The government recognizes, knows and does not have to be told that women are equal… Women across Canada will support the $5 million cut.”

Women are already equal huh? We don’t need this money? I guess this is why she also removed the word “equality” from the agenda of Status of Women Canada.

Women’s rights, services, advocacy and equality are under full-attack in Canada. So women are equal? This is the reality of Canadian women:

• women with post-secondary degrees earn 68.9% of what their male counterparts do.
• Canada ranks 38th in the world in the wage gap. Who’s more equal than Canada? Cambodia, Kenya, Czech Republic, and over 30 others!
• Canada ranks 25th in the world in the representation of women in professional and technical occupations.
• the average income for Canadian men: $36,865. The average income for Canadian women: $22,885.
• 1 in 5 Canadian women live in poverty.
• half of all single, widowed, and divorced women over 65 live in poverty.
• 67% of minimum wage earners are women.
• 29% of Canadian women have been assaulted by a spouse.
• half of all Canadian women have been sexually or physically assaulted.
• 43% of women have been sexually assaulted before the age of 16.
• in Canada, women make up 50.4% of the population, but only 20.8 of the seats in the House of Common.

EQUALITY IS STILL ON MY AGENDA.

This year is the 25th anniversary of Canada’s signing of the UN Convention to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination Against Women. It’s time to hold Harper accountable.

Here’s a snapshot of events across Canada:

On December 10th (Human Rights Day), if you’re in Ottawa, rally for equality and justice! 1:30pm at the Supreme Court of Canada.

In St. John’s, Newfoundland? Join in the protests as the only Status of Women’s office in Newfoundland is being eliminated! December 8th meet at the Colonial Building at noon to rally against the cuts.

In Victoria, British Columbia, head to the government buildings at noon on December 8th. These cuts come on top of massive 100% funding cuts to women’s centres in BC over the last 4 years by the Campbell government.

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, attend a Funeral for Women’s Equality on December 8th at noon at the Women’s Memorial Grove on the legislature grounds.

In Moncton, New Brunswick, meet at the City Hall at noon on December 8th.

Bring your signs, your pots and pans, your energy and let this government know that women’s rights are human rights!!!!!!

For more information:

• Womennet
• Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA)
• The Women Are Angry
  

In sisterhood, Artemis

Fight for us all!

Women’s voices are being silenced.
More to the point, we’re being stamped out, stomped on, our rights eliminated and taken away.

Yesterday, Minister Bev Oda announced further cuts to Status of Women Canada - seeing the closures of regional offices across the country. Only four will be left when the slashing and burning is done.

Offices in Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia will no longer have Status of Women offices.

Minister Oda said the offices were being closed because they were too supportive of groups who advocated or lobbied on behalf of women.

Where are you going to be on December 10th?
Hopefully, fighting the good fight, raising your voice, letting the Canadian govenrment know that we are here and our SWC offices are needed. Women’s funding is needed. Women’s advocacy and equality work is needed.

Protest! Make your voice heard! Events are taking place across Canada.

Women’s rights are human rights! Fight for us all!

Feminist Five

As a move against the Canadian Federal Governments massive cuts to Status of Women Canada and need for equality, Progressive Bloggers launched a campaign during the month of October “Five Things Feminism Has Done for Me”. Looks like people are still taking part, and there’s no end to the amazing lists that people are coming up with.

One of my recent favorites courtesy of jenleman:

My own feminist five list keeps growing, depending on the mood of the day.

1) Feminism gave me women’s studies, the choice of higher education, and the ability to pursue my dreams.

2) Feminism gave me the right to be an independent woman who lives on her own, supports herself, can travel, write, work, be single and unmarried and without children still at the age of 27!

3) Feminism gave me the right to choose to not have children.

4) Feminism gave me The Vagina Monologues - the sources of so much power, freedom, and voice for myself and so many other women.

5) Feminism gave me the right to TALK! To refuse to be silenced, to stand up and shout, to voice my opinions and ideas.

-Artemis.