BC Coalition of Women’s Centres
For immediate release
February 21, 2002
BC Coalition of Women’s Centres calls on Minister
of State for Women’s Equality to resign
The BC Coalition of Women’s Centres is calling for the resignation
of the Minister of State for Women's Equality and Social Programs, Lynn
Stephens.
Women in British Columbia are shocked and outraged by remarks
made by Minister Stephens in an interview with the Langley, BC-based
Advance News on Friday, February 15, 2002.
Stephens has blatantly denied the Government of British Columbia’s
obligations to respect, protect and fulfill the rights set out in International
Human Rights Treaties, including the International Convention on the
Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the International
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
In the interview, Stephens claims, incorrectly, that inequality
exists because of women’s own choices. Minister Stephens said.
“People make choices. This government is not about to say you can do this,
but can't do that. From choices flows everything else. You
are free to work where you wish, for whatever you wish; you are free to
live where you want.”
In the Advance News interview, Minister Stephens went on to say
that while funding to some women’s anti-violence services would be maintained
despite budget cuts, gender-based violence isn’t an issue of inequality.
“More women are abused, not oppressed.”
Minister Stephens has not only denied the reality of British Columbian
women, she also denied violence against women as a form of oppression,
despite International human rights treaties, including the International
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which states:
…violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal
power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over
and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the
full advancement of women, and that violence against women is one of
the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate
position compared with men.
The International Convention on the Elimination of All forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) states that “…in situations of
poverty women have the least access to food, health, education, training
and opportunities for employment and other needs.” The CEDAW also
states that “… extensive discrimination against women continues to exist.”
The BC Coalition of Women’s Centres, as co-signers to a submission
to the United Nations International Committee on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights (February 13, 2002), has already expressed it’s concern
for the Government of British Columbia’s violation of women’s economic
and social human rights through recent cutbacks and changes to public policy.
The Coalition joined eleven other BC non-governmental organizations in
requesting UN intervention.
Through Canada’s commitment as a signatory to International Treaties
protecting women’s human rights, the Province of British Columbia acknowledges
the lack of equality for women and the commitment to continuing its work
toward implementing International law.
Minister Stephens has flouted and denied British Columbia’s commitments.
Now, on behalf of women in British Columbia, we call on the Premier
to answer our demand that he set the record straight.
We demand that the Government of British Columbia declare its
plan for meeting it’s legal obligations to International Human Rights
Treaties.
Furthermore, we demand the resignation of Lynn Stephens as Minister
of State for Women’s Equality and Social Programs.
Minister Stephens’ refusal to acknowledge that women’s rights
are human rights is clear evidence that she is unsuitable to represent
the interests of British Columbian women.
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