Women’s Equality Advocacy Resource Guide
National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL)

Issues
The need for a gender perspective in immigration and refugee issues (positions include family class sponsorship regimes that foster women’s equality, that financial self-sufficiency not be a requirement for granting permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, that domestic workers be admitted as landed immigrants, and a number of reforms that support issues related to victims of smuggling and trafficking).

Resources for developing knowledge of the issue
Recommendations for Improving Immigration Law http://www.nawl.ca/ns/en/documents/Pub_Brief_Imm06_en.doc
(Updates on of the impact of the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act on immigrant and refugee women). Also available in French.

Contact
Andrée Côté,
Director of Legislation and Law Reform
info@nawl.ca
613-241-7570

Issues
Violations of women’s human rights in many different areas, from penitentiaries to national security policy to the application of the Canadian Human Rights Act itself.

Resources for developing knowledge of the issue
Women and Human Rights http://www.nawl.ca/ns/en/is-whr.html
(Web page describing different human rights issues NAWL advocates for). Also available in French.

Tools for strategizing and taking action
Workshop Kit http://www.nawl.ca/ns/en/documents/PubEd_HRightsatWork_05_en.pdf
(For exploring discrimination and harassment, accommodation, and equality in the workplace with information on ways to improve legislation). Also available in French

Issues
Maternity and Parental Benefits Improvements to benefits under the EI act, improvements to employment standards governing maternity and parental leave and options for a universal support program.

Resources for developing knowledge of the issue
Draft proposals for law reform http://www.nawl.ca/ns/en/documents/200611NAWLdraftMPB.doc
(Describes proposals for improving maternity and parental benefits).

Tools for strategizing and taking action
Workshop and Consultation Kit http://www.nawl.ca/ns/en/documents/PubEd_MatParental_05_en.pdf
(For engaging, learning and strategizing about law reforms that will improve women’s equality in this area)

Issues
Pay Equity - Women working full-time still earn 71% of men’s salaries, regardless of age, occupation or education. For women of colour, Aboriginal women and women with a disability, the wage gap is even greater.

Resources for developing knowledge of the issue
Pay Equity Information Sheet http://www.nawl.ca/ns/en/documents/PE_InfoSheet_eng.rtf
(Questions and answers about pay equity rights).

NAWL’s Recommendations on Pay Equity: http://www.nawl.ca/ns/en/documents/PE_sumNAWLrec.eng.doc
(Twelve recommendations for pay equity legislation).

Tools for strategizing and taking action
Call to Action
http://www.nawl.ca/ns/en/documents/PE_Call-Action_eng.rtf

Workshop and Consultation Kit http://www.nawl.ca/ns/en/documents/PubEd_PayEq_05_en.pdf
(For learning how the present pay equity system operates. and how groups and individuals can help reduce pay inequities).

Please contact your local women's centre
for more information