“We need to turn around and share this information
so that our society does not have these misconceptions.”
— Workshop Participant

participant at the Women's Studies class Workshop in Winnipeg

Winnipeg —
Women’s Studies class
March 12, 2007
Dakota Collegiate

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Winnipeg Workshops

Facilitators: Jennifer deGroot & Becky Thiessen
Participants: 10 women

The following ideas were generated by workshop participants as part of our gender budget consultations. Please note that this list does not represent the official position of the UN Platform for Action Committee Manitoba (UNPAC). Neither UNPAC nor all of the participants have endorsed these suggestions.

1. What are key concerns for women in your community?

Education
- Quality
- Cost of tuition
- Availability of spots in certain faculties
- Number of years it takes
- Advanced PSE
- People who cannot afford to pay should still be able to go to university (like in Europe)
Housing
- Why is it so expensive?
- Where are we going to live?
Jobs
- Current
- Future
- Role segregation in employment
- So many jobs are based on one’s appearance
Justice system
- Is it actually working?
- Do jails work? Rehabilitation?
- Sentencing related to crimes against women
  – Will rape victims come forward?
- Crimes against children
  – Sex offenders sentences not long enough
- Percentage of provincial budget for Justice should be higher
- More programs to reintegrate people in community (though perhaps some people should not be back in the community)
Retirement
- By the time we retire, will there be enough money?
Health care
- Dental, eye and prescription drugs are all very expensive
- How will be pay for things when we move out and are not on our parents’ health plan?

2. a) What Government programs and services have really worked to meet women’s needs and concerns? How could they be expanded upon or made better?

Women’s shelters
- Need more spaces / programs
Daycare
- Need more spaces and more options
Libraries
Pre-natal care
Teachers / Schools
Women’s Hospital and Women’s Health Clinic
Walk-in clinics
Aids and assists on busses for strollers and wheelchairs
Continuing education
Maternity / paternity leave
- Should be longer
Public bathrooms
- Tampon dispensers, baby change tables

“I am so surprised because I don’t see poverty everyday in Winnipeg.
Living in the suburbs nobody tells us about these issues.”

women look at their work on the budget from the Women's Studies class workshop

women enjoy discussing the issues, round the table at the Women's Studies class workshop

2. b) What ideas do you have for programs and services that could meet women’s needs?

Raise awareness about how women fit into the economy (make a television commercial)
More emphasis on educating women
More accessibility to employment statistics
Persuade more women to vote and speak out
Mentorship system — women helping women
- For new immigrant women so they are aware of the system and services
- For women who are recently divorced
Educate young women about their potential and opportunities
Make women’s studies a compulsory class in high school
- Provincial curriculum
- in each class, there should be a unit on women e.g. Women in history
Raise awareness that poverty exists here
More access to financial counselling

3. What ideas do you have on how the Government could earn more money? Examples include: raising existing taxes, introducing new taxes, or stopping programs that don’t work. Use the creativity you have learned from your experience as a woman living with a tight budget.

Provide services like daycare for people on social assistance, so they can work and pay taxes
Stricter guidelines on where money is being spent
Cut back on unnecessary expenses, example: Spirited Energy

TAKE ACTION!