Women Reviving Democracy in India – Canadian Tour March 11-22, 2004
Posting Date: 11 Mar 04
Author(s): Peter Moore, SAP Canada
MEDIA ADVISORY
WOMEN REVIVING DEMOCRACY IN INDIA
-CANADIAN TOUR-
OTTAWA, CANADA—From March 11-22, Canadians in Windsor, Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, Regina and Winnipeg will hear from South Asia Partnership Canada how Indian women have overcome barriers of sexism and become decision-makers for their communities.
The six-city tour is an initiative by South Asia Partnership Canada, its hosting partners in each city and the Canadian International Development Agency to promote links between Canadian and South Asian civic groups on the role of women in local government in Canada and India.
India is a leader on the issue of women and local government. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, passed in India in 1992 and 1993, constitutionally recognized local self-government units at the village, town and city level. Most significantly, they made the provision for reserving not less than 33 per cent of seats for women at the local government level. As a result, an estimated five million women have entered local politics to contest these seats in the last ten years.
Canada has no official government policy measure to ensure greater participation of Canadian women in local government. According to figures compiled by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in 2002, the national average for women’s representation in local government is 12.1 per cent for mayors, 21 per cent for city councilors and 52.1 per cent for managers.
Veena Gokhale, India Program Manager, has for the past three years managed the South Asia Regional People and Policy Program, funded by the South Asian desk of the Canadian International Development Agency. Part of her mandate under this program is to promote links between Canadian and South Asian civil society on the issue of women and local government.
South Asia Partnership Canada is a coalition of 27 Canadian organizations that, together and with South Asian partners, has worked for sustainable human development in the region since 1983.
For more information about the tour, please review the itinerary below for the local contacts or SAP Canada at:
Peter Moore, Communications Coordinator
South Asia Partnership Canada
613-241-1333 ext. 228
email pmoore@sapcanada.org
web https://www.sapcanada.org
TOUR ITINERARY — WOMEN AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE
WINDSOR, ONTARIO
When: March 11, 7-9 PM
Where: Katzman Lounge, Vanier Hall, University of Windsor
Hosts: Windsor Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG)
Local Contact: Jim Davies Ph: 519-253-3000 x3872 opirg@uwindsor.ca
EDMONTON, ALBERTA
When: March 13, 1:30-4:30 PM
Where: City Arts Centre, Antique Room – 10943- 84 Avenue, Edmonton
Hosts: Alberta Council for Global Cooperation
Local Contact: Cherie Klassen, acgc@web.net
CALGARY, ALBERTA
When: Monday, March 15, 12-12:50 PM
Where: Husky Oil Great Hall, Rozsa Centre
Hosts: Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, Alberta Network of Immigrant Women, India Canada Association, The International Centre
Local Contact: Joan J. Morgan
Joan.Morgan@ucalgary.ca
Ph: 403-220-4509
LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA
When: Wed-Thursday, March 17-18
Local Contact: Louella Cronkhite
USC Canada & University of Lethbridge
Tel: 403-381-8767 uscalberta@shaw.ca
REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN
When: March 19, 7-10 PM
Where: Royal Canadian Legion, 1820 Cornwall St., Regina, Saskatchewan
Host: Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation
Local Contact: Lori Latta, 306-757-4669
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
When & Where: TBC
Local Contacts and hosts: Dr. Raj Dhruvarajan, University of Manitoba; Cell phone: 204-999-1594
Janice Hamilton, Manitoba Council for International Cooperation
Ph: 204-987-6420; e-mail: mcic@web.ca
Attached file: Advisory-Women and Local Governance Cdn Tour 2004.doc