INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY -- MARCH 8

Released on March 13, 1996

Saskatchewan women continue to make progress on important issues that
affect women's equality, according to Joanne Crofford, minister
responsible for the Status of Women.

"Today, March 8, is International Women's Day. It is a time to take
stock of women's achievements. In Saskatchewan, women have made
significant gains in many key areas," she said.

For example, Saskatchewan women's labour force participation has
increased from 40 per cent in 1975 to 58 per cent in 1994.
"Saskatchewan women enjoy the lowest unemployment rate in the country,"
Crofford noted.

In Saskatchewan, the percentage of women earning more than $30,000 per
year has increased from seven per cent in 1986 to 16 per cent in 1993.

"Despite challenging economic times, young women today have more
choices than ever before," Crofford said. "More than 50 per cent of
full-time university students in Saskatchewan are women. This is
significant since women with university degrees can expect to command
higher salaries in the labour market.

"Saskatchewan women have made impressive inroads into decision-making
positions in recent years," Crofford said. To date, 44 per cent of all
Saskatchewan government appointments to boards, agencies and
commissions have been women.

The Saskatchewan government is committed to achieving equality for
women and has undertaken a number of initiatives which promote fairness
and equity. For example:

New labour standards legislation provides important protections to
women in the paid labour force. The legislation provides
protections for domestic workers, and strengthens maternity and
other family-related leaves.

New occupational health and safety legislation is the first of
its kind in North America to address violence and harassment
in the workplace.

Employment equity has been expanded to include all provincial
crown corporations and agencies, as well as government
departments.

The Victims of Domestic Violence Act is the first of its kind
in North America and provides new remedies to victims.

Provincial funding for child care has increased by $850,000 since
1992.

Provincial funding for enforcement of child maintenance orders has
increased.

"There is a great deal to celebrate on International Women's Day,
1996," Crofford said. "There is, of course, still work to be done, and
the government of Saskatchewan is committed to continuing this work
with communities, organizations and individuals to develop strategies
to achieve full equality for women."

International Women's Day was formally proclaimed by the United Nations
in 1975.

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For further information, contact:

Susan Dusel, Women's Secretariat
Regina Phone: (306) 787-7414