In this electronic age the ‘web’ can be a very useful place to obtain information. Two sites that I have found very helpful in keeping up with news on women’s rights issues are the Digital Freedom Network (www.dfn.org) and Women’s eNews (www.womensenews.org). Women’s eNews just launched a new venture called Arabic Women’s eNews. It will feature special contributions by journalists from the Arabic speaking region on issues of interest to women. (www.awomensenews.org). Stories will be on both sites. Free subscriptions are available to Women’s eNews by going to www.womensenews.org/join.cfm).

A few weeks ago two Canadian women’s rights activists, MaryLou McPhedran and Nancy Ruth returned from a consultation trip to the Bahamas. Women there are concerned with the fact that the Bahamian constitution makes no mention of women. Some of the women that MaryLou and Nancy talked with were Zonta members!

International item: Authorities in Saudi Arabia have confiscated 82,000 abayas, the black head-to-toe gowns worn by Saudi women, for being too decorated or too revealing.

Connie Deckert Fax: 1-800-986-0333
Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo
Email: cedeckert@bellnet.ca
District IV LAA

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There is a new study on women’s homelessness in Canada entitled: Common Occurrence: The Impact of Homelessness on Women’s Health. It was commissioned by Sistering and funded by Health Canada and the Status of Women Canada.

Homelessness is having a serious impact on women’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Researchers also took into account “hidden” as well as visible homelessness. “Hidden” refers to women who are temporarily staying with family or friends or a man to obtain shelter on those living households where they are subjected to violence or conflict. It also takes into account women who are paying so much of their income for shelter that they cannot afford much else. There are also individuals living illegally or in unsafe buildings or in badly overcrowded conditions.

Health concerns are a major problem as homeless women encounter many barriers utilizing the existing forms of support.

The study makes many recommendations to help and improve the lives of homeless women and can be obtained from Sistering (www.sistering.org).

March 8 is International Women’s Day. Did you know that under international human rights law governments have a responsibility to protect women from violence and gender-based persecution carried out within their borders? Note that women are now protected by “human rights legislation” not just women’s rights.

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The name of this committee suggests that awareness and advocacy go hand in hand. Recently Chatelaine magazine included a short article called “Inspiration Points”. One of the organizations mentioned was the Canadian Women Voters Congress “whose members are determined to help women have effective voices at all levels of government”. Charlene Brisson of Vancouver is president. She suggests becoming involved in some facet of the political process because “just by becoming a participant in the process you’re contributing”.

Realizing what you’re passionate about of course is very important. Whatever you choose to advocate for please remember that “doing your homework will make you more effective”. Here are some websites that might be of interest:

For tips on becoming an activist www.policy.ca

Click on Take Action for activism how-tos such as starting a petition or producing a pamphlet.

Canadian Women Voters Congress www.canadianwomenvoterscongress.org

They also operate a campaign school for women thinking of running for public office.

Research Centre on Women & Politics www.crfp-rcwp.uottawa.ca

LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS & ADVOCACY COMMITTEE– 23

A little piece of history …
This is the song women sang as they marched for the right to vote.

The March of the Women

Verse 1
Shout, shout, up with your song
Cry with the wind, for the dawn is breaking
March, march, swing you along,
Wide blows your banner and hope is waking.
Song with its story, dream with their glory,
Lo! They call and glad is their word.
Forward! Hark how it swells,
Thunder of freedom, the voice of the Lord!

Verse 3

Comrades, ye who have dared.
First in the battle to strive and sorrow,
Scorned, spurned, naught have ye cared,
Raising your eyes to a wider tomorrow.
Ways that are weary, days that are dreary,
Toil and pain by faith ye have borne.
Hail, hail, victors ye stand,
Wearing the wreath that the brave have worn!

Verse 2
Long, long we in the past,
Cowar’d in dread from the light of heaven.
Strong, strong stand we at last,
Fearless in faith and with sight new given.
Strength with its beauty, life with its duty,
(Hear the voice, oh, hear and obey).
These, these beckon us on,
Open your eyes to the blaze of day!

Verse 4

Live, strife, these two are one!
Naught can ye win but by faith and daring.
On, on, that ye have done,
But for the work of today preparing.
Firm in reliance, laugh a defiance,
(Laugh in hope, for sure is the end).
March, march, many as one,
Shoulder to shoulder and friend to friend!

Words by Cicely Hamilton, Music by Ethel Smyth.