imagePresident's Message


The National Board of CCLOW recently met in Toronto. Once again I was amazed at the dynamism of our organization. The provincial reports showed that we are actively working toward advancement for women by providing learning opportunities in diverse ways. Many of us have been involved in networking; developing briefs; lobbying government officials; sponsoring workshops; writing letters in support of other groups, individuals and activities; plus demonstrating against other issues.

An exciting development for National CCLOW was being asked by Lyn Wilkinson, Director of The Task Force on Paid Skills Development, to present a technical paper on "Paid Skills Development Leave for Women" to the Task Force. This Task Force, commissioned jointly by Labor Canada and Canada Employment and Immigration Commission, is looking at options and mechanisms to be considered at the national level for the implementation of a paid educational leave policy.

These are critical times fop the women of Canada. Changes in training and education, which can lead to jobs and result in fuller participation of women in our society, are currently being questioned. We need to be actively involved in letting the decision makers, provincial and federal, know that women's needs must be considered. We are not willing to take a secondary role in our society any longer.

My trip to Japan was truly a cultural experience. The International Seminar provided a formal forum for the exchange of ideas, information and cultural perspectives on women's lives. The perceptions, attitudes and experiences were as diverse as the cultures and societies represented. It was very difficult and not really appropriate to identify specific findings or agreed upon conclusions stemming from the proceedings of the seminar. However, I have prepared a chronological overview of activities during the exchange to Japan including anecdotes and observations as they pertain to the trip and women' s access to decision making power in the participating countries. It is my hope that the comments and the attached papers will synthesize and share some of the flavor of this remarkable experience with you. It is available from the National CCLOW office.

I judge myself to be extraordinarily fortunate to have had the opportunity to represent Canada and participate in this social/cultural exchange. As a Canadian feminist I was proud to note the advanced status Canadian women have achieved. As a woman, I was deeply moved to meet "sisters" from other parts of the world and learn of, as well as share, a common bond.

Sincerely,
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Lenore Rogers



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