ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
9
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
During 2000–01, Council continued to act on its commitment to be inclusive
as it deals with numerous issues affecting women in its programs and
advice to government. Council’s goal of inclusion is facilitated by
the
wonderful women who make up the Council. Council brings together the
experiences of women of various backgrounds: women with disabilities,
women who are black, lesbian, native, or single parents, and women from
rural communities—women who can shape our direction as we strive to
achieve equality, fairness, and dignity for all women in Nova Scotia.
As the first Cape Bretoner to be Council Chair, and as a woman from
a
rural community, I am very aware of the need for Council to represent
the
diverse perspectives of Nova Scotian women from all areas of the province,
and I can draw on my own background and experience in working with
women in rural Nova Scotia as I carry out my duties as Chair.
As I was elected chair in March 2001, I wish also to extend my own
and
Council’s sincere thanks to our retiring Chair, Patricia Doyle-Bedwell,
whose
term on Council ended in July 2001. Ms. Doyle-Bedwell’s work as Council
Chair, a position she has held since 1996, has been an example and an
inspiration. I know I speak for all of Council in thanking her and wishing
her
well in the future.
A challenge for Council over the past several years has been, and will
continue to be, to bring more attention to issues affecting women’s
access
to employment opportunities in non-traditional fields such as science
and
technology, as well as the growing information technology and oil and
gas
industries in Nova Scotia. Our continued association with the Association
of
Nova Scotia Women in Education and Research in Science (ANSWERS)
and with Women in Trades, Technology, Blue Collar and Operations
Occupations (WITTNS) has enabled us to address some of the barriers
and
obstacles women continue to experience in these fields.
Highlights of 2000–01
• Prepared for the Healthy Balance Research Program, which will
explore the relationship between women’s paid and unpaid work,
empowerment, and health status. This successful $1.7 million five-
year research proposal was developed in partnership with the
Maritime Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health, Dalhousie
University, and the IWK Health Centre, along with researchers in eight
universities, both local and national.