PANSOW, the Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women, are calling all feminists! We are searching for a qualified person to take on the project of developing a feminist, trauma-informed guide to conflict mediation. A how-to guide for community and government on finding resolution from a feminist lens. Please see attached pdf for all info. We look forward to hearing from you!
For Immediate Release: Provincial Parties Respond to PANSOW’s 2019 Election Questionnaire
In the run-up to the provincial election on May 16, 2019, the Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women (PANSOW) collaboratively designed a questionnaire for the four party leaders to address concerns that are relevant to women and their families.
The questions focused on nine issues including women’s leadership, violence against women and girls, childcare, and pay equity.
“It is vital that voters understand the party stances on the issues,” said Paula Sheppard Thibeau, Co-Chair, Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women and Executive Director, Corner Brook Status of Women Council. “The election’s quick turnaround time has not allowed everyone to become familiar with the candidates and the issues. We hope that in gathering these party responses we are able to help voters feel informed on issues of relevance to them.”
To view the party responses, open the PDFs below.
Women in Government
Poverty
Economic Equality
Violence
Healthcare
Childcare
Funding
Women in Prison
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Media Contacts
Paula Sheppard Thibeau
Co-Chair, Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women
Executive Director, Corner Brook Status of Women Council
Tel. 709.639.8522
cbwomenscentre@gmail.com
Janice Kennedy
Executive Director, Bay St. George Status of Women Council
Tel. 709.643.4444
executivedirector.bsgswc@gmail.com
About PANSOW
PANSOW applies a provincial lens to issues of equality and ensure a public voice for women from a non-partisan, grassroots, and feminist perspective. PANSOW consists of the Executive Directors of all eight Status of Women councils in Newfoundland and Labrador. PANSOW’s mandate is two-fold: To educate and build awareness on broad issues related to gender equity and justice in the province; and to advocate for change in government policy and legislation that facilitates gender equity and justice.
For Immediate Release: PANSOW calls for action by the Department of Education on sexual violence
October 5, 2018
For immediate release
RE: PANSOW calls for action by the Department of Education on sexual violence
Last year, allegations of sexual assault by a student resulted in legislative changes to the Schools Act, 1997, which came into effect on September 1, 2018. It provides the Director of Education with the authority to refuse to admit a student on school property where it is his/her opinion that the presence of the student is detrimental to the physical or mental well-being of students or staff. It was announced that polices were forthcoming based on these changes and to address sexual violence in our schools. However, in recent weeks, allegations of sexual assault at another school have come forward and highlighted the lack of movement on these promises.
The Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women believes that a holistic and trauma informed approach is needed that addresses the need for safety during transportation to and from school, during school, and while involved in extracurricular school activities. This requires changes in policy and practice that address the physical and psychological safety needs of students and staff. Trauma can impact an individual’s ability to acquire new knowledge and to retrieve stored information, thereby impacting the ability to learn. Creating safety is paramount in helping individuals regain a sense of control and concentrate.
Measures that address safety on buses may include the use of bus monitors, paid or volunteer, to assist with the supervision of students or cameras. School buses can accommodate up to 72 passengers; far too many for a single driver to monitor while also having to tend to the duties of driving and following the rules of the road. Cameras may provide legal evidence of the behaviours and actions that are occurring that are not observable by the driver.
During the school day, it is important to provide supports in terms of guidance and psychological services for those impacted by trauma and its impacts on daily activities. In addition, accommodations, short or long term, may be required to help students remain in school and complete their curriculum. This will be best determined by consulting with the student, their family and any professional supports they are using to assist with their recovery.
Policy and procedures for extracurricular activities should be reviewed and updated and ensure that they provide adequate supervision for all students. The procedures for reporting incidents need to be clear and reflect the serious nature of the trauma a student may experience.
To create systemic change in how we identify and intervene when violence occurs can only happen with changes to the curriculum. Curriculum changes that focus on healthy relationships, boundary setting and consent can create a safe and more inclusive learning environment and help us ensure students lead vibrant and healthy lives. Professional development training in trauma informed practice is also necessary for all employees to ensure early detection and response, and to create supportive environments for all involved with teaching and shaping the minds of our children and youth.
PANSOW is available for consultation in creating these necessary changes as we have experience in providing both front line support to individuals impacted by sexual violence and in policy development. Changes are needed now and we cannot wait for more students and families to be left in limbo.
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Media Contacts
Paula Sheppard Thibeau
Executive Director
Corner Brook Status of Women Council
Tel. 709.639.8522
cbwomenscentre@gmail.com
Janice Kennedy
Executive Director
Bay St. George Status of Women Council
Tel. 709-643-4444
executivedirector.bsgswc@gmail.com
About PANSOW
The Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women (PANSOW) is a grassroots, feminist, and non-partisan network which gives a provincial voice on the issues facing the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador. PANSOW consists of all eight Status of Women Councils in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women supports the call for a Provincial Task Force on Gender-Based Violence
For Immediate Release
October 4, 2018
There has been a significant rise in the rates of domestic and sexual violence in Newfoundland and Labrador. In advance of the In Her Name vigil for missing and murdered women and girls of NL, the St. John’s Status of Women Council and St. John’s Native Friendship Centre are calling once again for the establishment of a provincial task force on gender-based violence. The Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women (PANSOW) is fully supporting this call to action.
We wish to see the establishment of a task force that is well-resourced, which includes a budget, staffing, strong terms of reference, and ministerial level accountability. If we are to see tangible change in the levels of violence women and girls experience daily we must have the political will to drive significant changes in legislation, policy, and funding.
We are aware of the Minister’s Committee on Violence Against Women and Girls in Newfoundland and Labrador struck last year and support that community collaboration. The committee can be a significant and vital part of the work of the task force. However, a St. John’s-centric committee alone is simply not the right mechanism to deal with the magnitude of the issues of violence against women and girls in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Paula Sheppard Thibeau, PANSOW Co-chair and Executive Director, Corner Brook Status of Women Council:
“Only through a collaborative approach that includes stakeholders from various sectors and areas of the province can we reduce violence in our families and communities. The work of a gender-based violence task force must focus on strengthening efforts for early identification and intervention, and providing individuals affected with the necessary supports to gain economic, psychological, and physical well-being.”
Raelene Vickers, Executive Director, Mokami Status of Women Council:
“Violence against women and girls in Labrador is a massive concern that needs to be addressed through a province-wide task force on gender-based violence. Labrador communities have some of the highest rates of domestic violence across the country, and too many women are at risk. The cultural needs of Indigenous communities in Labrador must be included in a provincial plan to end gender-based violence. Women and girls in Labrador need to know that their safety and lives matter to the province.”
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Media Contacts
Paula Sheppard Thibeau
PANSOW Co-chair
Executive Director
Corner Brook Status of Women Council
Tel. 709.639.8522
cbwomenscentre@gmail.com
Jenny Wright
Executive Director
St. John’s Status of Women Council
Tel: 709.753.0220
jenny@sjwomenscentre.ca
PANSOW applies a provincial lens to issues of equality and ensure a public voice for women from a non-partisan, grassroots, and feminist perspective. PANSOW consists of the Executive Directors of all eight councils in Newfoundland and Labrador. PANSOW’s mandate is two-fold: To educate and build awareness on broad issues related to gender equity and justice in the province; and to advocate for change in government policy and legislation that facilitates gender equity and justice.
PANSOW calls for changes to justice system following the death of two women at the NL Correctional Centre for Women
The Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women (PANSOW) stands in solidarity with families of incarcerated women. We join them in calling on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to initiate long overdue changes within our provincial justice system.
The 2008 report, Decades of Darkness: Moving Towards the Light – A review of the prison systems in Newfoundland and Labrador noted that many of those who are housed in our provincial prisons are there for crimes stemming from poverty, addictions, and mental health issues. Yet adequate and appropriate programming and services, especially gender-specific programming, to address these needs are not present within our correctional institutions. Prisons are not equipped to deal with these issues and the living conditions in these institutions often lead to deterioration of mental health. We are at a critical moment following the deaths of two women at the NL Correctional Centre for Women, change through community collaboration is paramount.
Samantha Piercey, who died in prison last month, died on remand. Charged, but not convicted of a crime. Unfortunately, our province has some of the highest rates of remand in the country. Whenever possible, individuals on remand should remain in the community with supports.
There is an immediate and critical need for supports, staffing and resources, gender-specific health care, an alleviation of overcrowding, and incidents of lock down. We are supportive of the independent review initiated by Minister Parsons however we ask for civilian oversight of this process and the involvement of incarcerated women and their families.
Media Contacts
Paula Sheppard Thibeau
Executive Director
Corner Brook Status of Women Council
Tel. 709.639.8522
cbwomenscentre@gmail.com
Jenny Wright
Executive Director
St. John’s Status of Women Council
PANSOW, Co-Chair
Tel: 709.753.0220
jenny@sjwomenscentre.ca
About PANSOW
The Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women (PANSOW) is a grassroots, feminist, and non-partisan network which gives a provincial voice on the issues facing the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador. PANSOW consists of all eight Status of Women Councils in Newfoundland and Labrador.
PANSOW seeks clarification regarding mandatory counselling for Mifegymiso
The following letter was sent to the Hon. Dr. John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services via email at the end of May 2018. PANSOW requested clarification on his comments regarding the need for women to receive counselling before being prescribed the abortion pill, Mifegymiso. To date, no response has been received from his office. We urge you to join us in contacting the Minister of Health and Community Services to ensure that Mifegymiso is readily available to all women throughout the province through clinics and their family doctor without the need for mandatory counselling.
Dear Minister John Haggie,
The Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women (PANSOW) is seeking clarification on your statement in regards to counselling for the abortion pill, Mifegymiso. Are you suggesting that women receive mental health counselling before being prescribed the medication or just a discussion with their doctor about potential side-effects of the medication?
PANSOW represents the eight Status of Women Councils of this province and we are pro-choice organizations that support people’s right to choose. We want to see Mifegymiso covered by MCP and that every family doctor or nurse practitioner can prescribe it to their patients.
It is important that women from any area of the province, particularly rural and remote areas, have access to this much needed and time sensitive service. Requiring women to access counselling before they can be prescribed the medication is a barrier with already lengthy wait times for counselling throughout the province or simply unavailable in some parts of the province.
We look forward to your response.
Thank you,
Janice Kennedy, Co-Chair of PANSOW
Media Contact
Jenny Wright
Executive Director
St. John’s Status of Women Council
PANSOW, Co-Chair
Tel: 709.753.0220
jenny@sjwomenscentre.ca
About PANSOW
The Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women (PANSOW) is a grassroots, feminist, and non-partisan network which gives a provincial voice on the issues facing the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador. PANSOW consists of all eight Status of Women Councils in Newfoundland and Labrador.
For Immediate Release: PANSOW statement on MHA attendance at celebration of Eddie Joyce
Everyone loves a celebration. However, the Provincial Action Network of the Status of Women (PANSOW) must question the timing of the recent celebration of MHA Eddie Joyce’s 25 years of public service in politics. Mr. Joyce is currently under investigation by the Commissioner for Legislative Standards amid allegations of harassment and bullying. Mr. Joyce, while still the MHA for Humber-Bay of Islands, has been placed on an indefinite leave of absence from the House of Assembly as the investigation continues.
We are concerned for the message that this sends to the public, especially considering the anti-harassment training all MHAs recently completed. Harassment is a form of violence which violates respectful workplace policies. It is imperative that leaders recognize the damaging effects that workplace violence can have on their employees. This celebration and the attendance by four Liberal MHAs sends the message to the women who came forward that they do not matter. It does not present an image of respect for the process currently taking place within the House regarding this issue.
We call on the MHAs, Gerry Byrne, John Finn, Scott Reid, and Jerry Dean to acknowledge this and to undertake further training to better understand the impacts of violence in the workplace.
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Media Contacts
Janice Kennedy
Executive Director
Bay St. George Status of Women Council
PANSOW, Co-Chair
Tel: 709.643.4444
executivedirector.bsgswc@gmail.com
Jenny Wright
Executive Director
St. John’s Status of Women Council
PANSOW, Co-Chair
Tel: 709.753.0220
jenny@sjwomenscentre.ca
About PANSOW
The Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women (PANSOW) is a grassroots, feminist, and non-partisan network which gives a provincial voice on the issues facing the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador. PANSOW consists of all eight Status of Women Councils in Newfoundland and Labrador.
For Immediate Release: PANSOW expresses disappointment at lack of government consultation
For Immediate Release
October 19, 2017
PANSOW expresses disappointment at lack of government consultation
Following the In Her Name Vigil for missing and murdered women and girls of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women (PANSOW) and a coalition of anti-violence groups called for the establishment of a Provincial Task Force on Gender-Based Violence. This week the Provincial Government announced the formation of a Minister’s Committee on Violence Against Women and Girls. PANSOW is expressing disappointment in this approach.
PANSOW and its community partners called for the establishment of a task force to oversee the implementation of a comprehensive, provincial plan to end domestic violence, and all violence, against women and girls. The Minister’s Committee on Violence Against Women and girls will be comprised of government and community representatives; membership is by invitation only.
Jenny Wright, PANSOW Co-Chair and Executive Director of the St. John’s Status of Women Council:
“The way in which the government has established this committee circumvents the work of a coalition of anti-violence and domestic violence experts. The government did not acknowledge PANSOW’s request or engage in any consultation on the matter. Telling organizations to wait for an invitation is not a consultation.”
PANSOW had asked women-serving anti-violence organizations to join the call for a provincial task force and had responses from organizations across the province.
Janice Kennedy, PANSOW Co-Chair and Executive Director, Bay St. George Status of Women Council:
“The shift from a task force informed and led by anti-violence experts to an invitation-only committee is disappointing. Consulting with those who issued the call for a task force on gender-based violence should be an imperative for this government.”
PANSOW is calling on Minister Parsons to halt the further development of this committee until his department has met with the organization and its partners.
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Media Contact
Janice Kennedy
PANSOW, Co-Chair
Executive Director, Bay St. George Status of Women
Tel: 709.643.4444
Email: executivedirector.bsgswc@gmail.com
About PANSOW
The Provincial Action Network of the Status of Women (PANSOW) is a grassroots, feminist, and non-partisan network which gives a provincial voice on the issues facing the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador. PANSOW consists of all eight Status of Women Councils in Newfoundland and Labrador.
For Immediate Release: PANSOW Issues Call for a Provincial Task Force on Gender Based Violence
For Immediate Release
October 6, 2017
PANSOW Issues Call for a Provincial Task Force on Gender Based Violence
Following the In Her Name Vigil for missing and murdered women and girls of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women (PANSOW) and a coalition of anti-violence groups are calling for the establishment of a Provincial Task Force on Gender-Based Violence. The goal of this task force would be to oversee the implementation of a comprehensive, provincial plan to end domestic violence, and all violence, against women and girls.
The organizations joining PANSOW in calling for this task force include: Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s Native Friendship Centre, Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre, Violence Prevention – Avalon East, and Violence Prevention – West.
This task force must contain representation from the provincial Departments of Justice and Public Safety, Education and Early Childhood Development, Health and Community Services, Children, Seniors and Social Development, and the Status of Women, survivors of domestic violence, and women-serving anti-violence organizations.
Jenny Wright, PANSOW Co-Chair and Executive Director of the St. John’s Status of Women Council:
“This needs to be the moment in our history, where we agree as a people that the levels of violence experienced by women and girls is simply no longer acceptable to us, that what we have been doing is failing women, and that, we choose another path. That path is a task force on gender violence.”
Newfoundland and Labrador has among the highest rates of domestic violence in the country. It is one of the few provinces where domestic violence is on the rise. Sadly, the rate of domestic violence is likely much higher than we know; 70 per cent of spousal violence is not reported to the police. Of the 217,900 women over the age of 15 residing in Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately 108,950 (one in two) will experience at least one incident of sexual or physical violence throughout their lifetime. Approximately 10 per cent (10,895) of these women will actually report this victimization to police.
Janice Kennedy, PANSOW Co-Chair and Executive Director, Bay St. George Status of Women Council:
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador must form an immediate task force to address the high and unacceptable rates of gender-based violence in this province. Too many women are missing or have already died and many more are at risk. We demand the task force bring together government and community stakeholders to implement systemic and legislative changes that improve the safety and lives of women and children throughout the province. Every citizen of this province deserves the right to live in peace and safety in their homes, and their communities.”
PANSOW is asking other women-serving anti-violence organizations to join this call for a provincial task force. If your organization would like to sign on, please contact Jenny Wright, Executive Director of the St. John’s Status of Women Council and Co-Chair, PANSOW.
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Media Contact
Jenny Wright
Executive Director
St. John’s Status of Women Council/Women’s Centre
Tel. 709.753.0220
jenny@sjwomenscentre.ca
Janice Kennedy
Executive Director BSG Status of Women
PANSOW, Co-Chair
Tel: 709.643.4444
executivedirector.bsgswc@gmail.com
About PANSOW
The Provincial Action Network of the Status of Women (PANSOW) is a grassroots, feminist, and non-partisan network which gives a provincial voice on the issues facing the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador. PANSOW consist of all eight Status of Women Council in Newfoundland and Labrador
Media Release: PANSOW concerned the Premiers taskforce on education does not address high levels of domestic violence in NL
August 9th, 2017
Media Release
Newfoundland and Labrador
PANSOW concerned the Premiers taskforce does not address high levels of domestic Violence in NL
The Premiers task force on education was a welcome and long overdue report on the current state of our education system, that contained 82 key recommendations for change; (http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/task_force/report.pdf) many of which we support. However, the Provincial Action Network of the Status of Women (PANSOW) is alarmed that the opportunity may have been missed to address the high levels of violence women experience in our province.
Domestic violence rates in Newfoundland and Labrador are the highest per capita in the country. In other provinces where domestic violence is showing a minor decline, NL is in fact seeing a rise in domestic violence. We have experienced several domestic violence homicides over the last decade, and quite frankly, the levels of violence can no longer be tolerated. https://www.gov.nl.ca/VPI/facts/violence_against_women_fact_sheet.pdf
To end this cycle of violence, comprehensive changes to our education curriculum must be included. We can begin to have a substantial impact on violence in the province through teaching our children how to stop the cycle of violence for good. Violence is not the natural order of things; it is learned behaviour that can be unlearned. Violence is rooted in inequality and therefore there is a need for children to learn about and address the impacts of various forms of inequality.
The Premiers task force identified a number of issues that were raised repeatedly, such as students wanting education on gender sensitivities, respectful relationships, the meaning of consent, internet and online safety, violence and abuse (p. 32). Despite this, none of the 82 recommendations address these concerns. It is time for an updated sex education curriculum, encompassing kindergarten to grade 12 – that is age and developmentally appropriate which includes: healthy relationships, consent, gender inequality, LGTBQ experiences, sexual health and conflict resolution.
Updated education curriculum such as this has been launched in Ontario. Sex education is part of the “Healthy Living” section, under the category of Human Development and Sexual Health, which makes up about 10 % of their curriculum. This curriculum provides students with the opportunity to learn information that can help them to make healthy decisions surrounding food, safety at home, school and in the community, alcohol and other substances, sexual activity.” (https://www.ontario.ca/page/sex-education-ontario)
We implore the members of the task force, the Minister for Education and the Premier, to strike an immediate committee of experts to inform the taskforce how to include this curriculum change immediately and as part of the report.
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Media contact:
Paula Sheppard Thibeau
Executive Director
Corner Brook Status of Women Council
709-639-8522
Jenny Wright | Executive Director
St. John’s Status of Women Council/Women’s Centre
P709.753.0220
jenny@sjwomenscentre.ca
PANSOW is a grass roots, feminist & non-partisan network which gives a provincial voice on the issues facing the Status of Women in NL
