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The Council's mission:
defending the interests of women
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The Conseil du statut de la femme is a government
consultation and study council that, since 1973, has devoted itself to
promoting and defending the rights and interests of women in Québec. It
advises the Québec government on all issues regarding the status of women,
and seeks to keep women and the general public informed on matters within
its purview.
The Council's actions are laid out in a multiyear strategic plan. The
plan and its orientations are rooted in an ever-changing social, political,
and economic context, and are the result of a vast canvassing of opinions
among Québec-wide and regional groups. In Québec's pluralistic arena,
where globalization and major demographic shifts are playing out, the
quest for equality between men and women is increasingly important. The
Council's goal is to ensure that women are part of the changes taking
place and that they have their say in directing those changes towards
their needs and aspirations. Over the coming years, the Council also intends
to pay close attention to young women and their special needs, and to
encourage their participation in all sectors of social life.
The Conseil du statut de la femme is made up of a chair and ten members
named by the government for five and four years respectively. Members
are appointed following consultation with women's associations, socioeconomic
groups, universities, and unions. They form a microcosm of society, determining
the Council's main direction and approving all the reports it releases.
Are also members ex officio of the Council but not entitled to
vote the Deputy ministers (or their delegates) of Health and Social Services,
Education, Labour, Employment and Solidarity, Culture and Communications
and the secretary of the Conseil du trésor or their delegates.
To help it effectively fulfill its mandate to perform research, provide
information, and raise awareness, the Council has a permanent staff at
its head office in Québec City and in eleven regional offices around the
province.
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Actions designed to meet
the needs of women
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The Council seeks first to document and illustrate
the status of women in Québec through studies and research. It also advises
the government on matters of concern to women and suggests actions for
improving their health and economic status, enhancing their well-being,
and ensuring they occupy the place they deserve in the various seats of
power and influence. Through its work, the Council seeks to raise awareness
among government bodies and socioeconomic partners while providing women's
groups and individuals with the tools they need to make their voices heard.
The Council examines such issues as the participation
of women in regional development, their access to power, barriers to maternity,
the protection of women workers, reconciling work with family life, the
new focus on ambulatory care, and the future of the health and social
services system. The gathering and analysis of data also allows it to
keep abreast of changes in the socioeconomic status of women. In addition,
the Council monitors and analyzes draft bills and regulations in areas
such as taxation, income security, and job equity and identifies their
impact on women. It also studies the measures and programs implemented
in such diverse fields as education, health, employment, and the family,
with a view to modifying them or adding aspects to make them better adapted
to the needs of women.
The Council's actions take the form of comments
or advisory reports to the Minister responsible for the Status of Women
and the Minister concerned, or as briefs tabled before parliamentary committees.
Lastly, the Council often brings key issues of concern to women into the
public spotlight. In doing so, it spurs debate among women and their associations
and partners. Some of the many themes featured at symposiums and public
events have included new reproductive techniques, social policies, the
challenges facing the feminist movement today, issues of cultural and
religious diversity, and reconciling family and professional responsibilities.
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Using information to bring
about change
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The Council's information-sharing role stems
from the research and studies it performs and the reports it releases.
By publishing summaries, brochures, and leaflets, the Council seeks not
only to raise public awareness of topical issues, but also to provide
women's groups and other partners with the tools they need. This facilitates
the understanding and discussion of such timely issues as nonstandard
employment, ambulatory care, and problems specific to elderly women or
young girls.
Other themes like reconciling work and family, sharing family duties,
and training for tomorrow's job market serve to enhance awareness among
various target groups, thereby helping to change mentalities. Every year,
the Council plays an active role on International Women's Day. In fact,
every March 8, it proposes a theme and offers material to women and women's
groups to stimulate debate or back activities organized by government
departments, businesses, and other groups. Its quarterly newsletter, Info-CSF,
tells of the Council's activities and events. All this literature is available
free of charge upon request and can also be consulted on the Council's
Website.
Every two months, the Council publishes La Gazette des femmes.
It features both in-depth reports and articles on unusual topics, spotlighting
the status of women from all angles. The magazine is sold at newsstands.
To subscribe, inquire at one of the Council's offices or consult the Website.
By way of La Gazette des femmes, the Council has also launched a collection
of guides on subjects of interest to women, notably family and health.
The guides contain a wealth of advice, resources, and useful information,
and are available for sale from Publications du Québec or as a bonus upon
subscription to the magazine
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The Council in the regions
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Thanks to its Québec-wide presence, the Council is able to create close
ties with women; women's groups; the health, education, and economy
sectors; as well as departments and other government bodies.
Staff at regional offices take part in numerous consultations and help
raise public awareness of situations particular to women living in the
regions by conducting local studies and research. This way, the Council
broadens its vision of the status of women and is able to better monitor
the government's actions and intervene in a timely fashion.
The Council has also produced a series of reports on the status of women
in every region of Québec. Each detailed report is the result of extensive
statistical and qualitative research, as well as opinions that emerged
from meetings with local stakeholders. These reports suggest precise
objectives to authorities to help improve the status of women and spur
women to take part in the development of their regions.
Each office also publishes a regular newsletter entitled Info-Région,
in which it presents the Council's activities and examines key issues
dealing with the status of women. The Council brings its expertise to
regional roundtables composed of women's groups and to various regional
forums with regard to women's issues. It constantly strives to ensure
that women remain or become full-fledged partners in the development
of their regions.
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English
publications![](/web/20061228004315im_/http://csf.gouv.qc.ca/images/trait_centre525.gif)
For a New Social Contract of Equality Between Women and
Men,
Summary, November 2004, No. 204-20-I, 28 p. [PDF
file]
The Long March Forward - A History of Women's Rights
Information pamphlet, December 2003, No. 203-14-I, 8 p. [PDF
file]
Is Prostitution Work or Exploitation ? Further Consideration
Is Needed
Summary, May 2002 16 p. [PDF
file]
The Conseil du statut de la femme - A different outlook on the world
Information pamphlet, April 2001. [PDF
file]
The FTAA and equality between men and women
Summary pamphlet, Avril 2001 [PDF
file] (also available in spanish
and
portugese)
Ambulatory care : the hidden price for women
Summary, August 1999, 8 p. [PDF
file]
One plus one : a study of the legal recognition of lesbian couples
Summary, August 1998, 6 p.
Cultural and religious diversity : A study of the stakes of women
Summary, November 1997, 8 p. [WordPerfect
file]
True Origins of March 8, International Women's Day
Information pamphlet, November 1995, 2 p. [PDF
file]
Last Update : 2004-11-11
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