| Description |
In
1981, Canada ratified the Convention of Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW) in what would be perceived as an attempt to create
a more just and equal society for women. However, with the
implementation of harsh neo-liberal policies that emphasize
privatization and minimal government intervention, women in Canada,
particularly those most disadvantaged, are facing human rights
violations. The past decade has been especially damaging as Canada’s
conservative government led by Stephen Harper made drastic funding cuts
to women’s organizations and serious cutbacks to social services through
austerity measures. These neo-liberal policies are not only
incompatible with the CEDAW, but are in direct opposition to its
mandate, and democratic values in general. I will outline the
recommendations made by CEDAW to the State of Canada, and discuss the
State’s blatant disregard towards the CEDAW and its principles of
eliminating discrimination against women. I will describe the actions
that the Canadian government, specifically the current conservative
government, has taken to intentionally hinder the advancement of women’s
rights. I will argue that that these violations are an attempt to
suppress threats to the current politico-economic system,
neo-liberalism, which, I will argue, is inherently discriminatory. I
will further argue that, especially in light of its colonial past and
neo-colonial present, Canada must support autonomous women’s rights
movements and provide extensive social services if an effort to
eliminate discrimination against women is to be made. |
