PROVINCE PROCLAIMS RURAL WOMEN'S MONTH IN SASKATCHEWAN

Released on February 25, 2004

Saskatchewan will celebrate the contributions of rural women throughout March, which has been proclaimed as Rural Women's Month in the province.

The purpose of the celebration is to raise awareness and appreciation of the role of rural women in Saskatchewan in the present and in the past.

"Rural women's contribution to the success of Saskatchewan's economic and social development over the years is invaluable," Deputy Premier and Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Minister Clay Serby said.

"Rural women have had and continue to have a significant impact on the development of health care, education and social services in Saskatchewan. Rural women serve as volunteers and leaders in their communities and, in many cases, are also one-half of most of the farm operations in the province. We are all indebted to the extraordinary accomplishments of Saskatchewan's rural women since homesteading days."

The month will be observed in conjunction with a variety of events held annually throughout March by numerous rural women's groups in communities across the province. These events are organized in association with the United Nation's International Women's Day (IWD) held annually on March 8th. Saskatchewan IWD events are supported through an annual grant program funded by the Status of Women Office of Saskatchewan Labour.

The proclamation of Rural Women's Month is the result of requests by the Saskatchewan Women's Institutes (SWI), the Saskatchewan representative to the Women's Advisory Committee of the National Farmers' Union, the Whitewood Women's Network of Whitewood, Sask., and the Partners for Rural Family Support of Humboldt, Sask.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306)787-4031	Shirley Wenaas Saskatchewan Women's Institutes Robsart Phone: (306)299-4520
Marilyn Gillies Women's Advisory Committee, National Farmers Union Wynyard Phone: (306)554-2791	Janet Hering Partners for Rural Family Support Humboldt Phone: (306)682-4135
Monica Buddecke Whitewood Women's Network Whitewood Phone: (306)735-2270