Feminist Perspectives on International Human Rights in Canada
Dozens of scholars, researchers and feminists gathered at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law from March 27 – 29, 2009 to participate in a conference entitled “Feminist Perspectives on International Human Rights in Canada” which was organized by Professor Lucie Lamarche, the Gordon F. Henderson Chair in Human Rights.Sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Public Safety Canada and the Gordon F. Henderson Chair in Human Rights, the conference marked the importance of international human rights law in the support and affirmation of women’s rights in Canada. It addressed aspects of implementation, compliance and follow-up mechanisms related to human rights law, focusing specifically on topics such as globalization, sustainable development, employment equity, aboriginal women’s issues, violence against women and racial discrimination. The conference was also supported by uOttawa’s Faculty of Law, the Human Rights Research and Education Centre and the Institute of Women’s Studies.
The opening plenary entitled, “Using the UN Reporting System to Change Things at Home,” examined the application of international human rights standards to life in Canada. Participants in the plenary included Shelagh Day of the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA), Katherine McDonald of Action Canada for Population and Development (ACPD) and Professor Barbara Cameron of York University. The speakers all conceded that Canada is no longer considered a leader in human rights by the international community.
According to Shelagh Day, it is becoming increasingly necessary to bring awareness of the shortcomings that Canada seems unable or unwilling to correct on its own to the international scene. The cause of women’s equality, she suggested, can only be advanced in Canada by recognizing its critical links to economic and social rights. “The poverty of women,” said Ms. Day, “is not a natural phenomenon, nor is it similar to the poverty of men. It is a violation of women’s right to equality.”
Presenting the case of a woman named Kelly, a mother of two who left her partner because of his violent behaviour, Ms. Day emphasized the difficulty single women can encounter when looking for adequate housing or a decent job. Kelly’s inability to find suitable work forced the government to seize custody of her children and withdraw her welfare benefits. In a situation like this, explained Ms. Day, a woman like Kelly is at high risk to develop mental health problems. If she is a First Nations woman, the situation is even more dire. “It’s a story of violence against women, insufficient welfare support, punitive social regulations, insecure employment, a dearth of day-care services and the threat of losing one’s children,” said Ms. Day. “This is the story of many poor women in Canada. There is no equality for women without an adequate standard of living.”
Another workshop at the conference addressed the issue of the trafficking of women and girls in Canada. Speakers Jill Hanley of McGill University, Annalee Lepp of the University of Victoria and doctoral candidate Anette Sikka of the University of Ottawa all noted that the trafficking of women is almost always perceived to be associated with prostitution. In fact, only a small percentage of the victims of trafficking are forced into prostitution. Many are also forced into working in a domestic environment, the service industry, or a manufacturing setting, and a large portion are brought to Canada to be married or adopted.
Prof. Jill Hanley elaborated on this predicament, suggesting that contrary to popular belief, most of these women are unable to even speak owing to a neglected or impoverished upbringing. They enter into Canada with false identification papers, explained Prof. Hanley, and are subsequently criminally exploited while being forced to suffer complete social isolation. The government tends to treat these women not like victims that deserve assistance and protection, but like criminals that should either be incarcerated or deported.
Prof. Lucie Lamarche, who organized the conference, reiterated what Shelagh Day emphasized in the opening plenary: “The days in which Canada was proudly promoting women’s rights all around the world are gone. With globalisation, came an increased commodification of women’s lives and work, and accordingly, market violence is one of women’s worst enemies. International human rights law must address such issues.”
Communications from the “Feminist Perspectives on International Human Rights in Canada” conference will be available shortly at www.henderson.uottawa.ca