Standing up for women; Financial support in federal budget for women called 'attack on equality'
Penticton Herald
March 9, 2009
By: Scott Trudeau

People gathered outside during chilly temperatures on Sunday as part of International Women's Day for its Global Call to Action against Poverty.

At noon, representatives from the Okanagan Skaha Teachers' Union, Okanagan College Students' Union and South Okanagan Women in Need Society stood with bright placards on the grassy area between Penticton Secondary School and the Penticton public library.

Afterwards, during a social at the Okanagan Skaha Teachers' Union office, Brigid Kemp of the South Okanagan-Boundary Labour Council talked about her concerns.

Kemp said women face many obstacles when it comes to finding affordable housing, and that the need for a national child-care program and equitable jobs have intensified since the global economic collapse.

"Lately, women have had little reason to celebrate," said Kemp, who is also a social worker with SOWINS.

She said the lack of financial support for women in the recent federal budget is like an "attack on equality."

She noted that a wage comparison revealed that, on average, a woman earns $27,000 and a man $45,000 per year.

Kemp said part of the reason for the wage disparity stems from women's unpaid roles as mothers, caregivers and teachers.

"The jobs they work are considered undervalued because it's unpaid," she said.

Speaking on behalf of educators, Terry Green, president of the Okanagan Skaha Teachers' Union, said when a mother struggles to overcome poverty, it ends up having a trickle-down effect onto her children.

"There is a lot more poverty in this region than people realize," said Green, adding that it impacts a student's learning ability.

Green said approximately 25 per cent of B.C. children live in poverty.

Bernadette Otto, co-ordinator for the Penticton and Area Women's Centre, said women are at a disadvantage when it comes to finding and retaining affordable housing. And for those with children, "it's nearly impossible for them to find housing."

"The poor often have the inability to get their basic needs met," she said, adding that the women's centre is an advocate for such issues….