On this International Women`s Day, the New Brunswick Federation of Labour wants to thank all of the women who fought and continue to fight to improve our rights. Women, and many men, have worked hard for the gains that women and girls have achieved.
For example, April 2019 marks the one hundredth year anniversary where certain New Brunswick women gained the right to vote. This right was not automatically given to women, nonetheless, they had to raise public awareness and lobby public officials to make it happen. The New Brunswick Women’s Enfranchisement Association formed in Saint John in April 1894. It took 25 years for these women to achieve their goal of getting the right to vote. For other women, this basic right took even longer to get. Indigenous women only got the right to vote in January 1963.
Unfortunately, our quest for full equality must continue. There are still more inequities that exist. Women working in the private sector still do not have access to pay equity. Lack of affordable quality child care is still a barrier to many women to full economic and social independence. Male violence against women is still a problem that we face as a society.
The New Brunswick Federation of Labour is calling on us all to join the fight to end pay inequity, violence against women and to improve access to affordable and quality child care so women can have more economic security. Together we can make a difference in improving women’s rights in the province.
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The New Brunswick Federation of Labour is the central voice of organized labour in the province. We represent over 35,000 workers from every sector of the economy and from every community in the province.
For further information, please contact:
Shanny Doucet
NBFL Vice-President responsible for women’s issues
(506) 227-9900 (cell)