Strikes and demonstrations among textile workers in 1911 marked the beginning of the labour movement’s call for women’s right to work, vote, hold office and end discrimination. At the 100-year mark, women around the world and in Canada in particular, celebrate considerable progress. For example, at work and in politics, whereas women were totally excluded in the past, today they only experience a measure of limitation. However, at the end of the day, we continue to rally for those same benefits as those early textile workers, but in fuller measure.
Having won the right to work, women’s still experience a gender pay gap of 70.5% and, in spite of having won the right to vote and hold office, women hold only 22% of elected positions at all levels of government in Canada.
On this hundredth anniversary of a century of progress, women are working longer hours outside the home and shouldering a disproportionate share of unpaid labour and domestic work for their families. In addition, women today have fewer children than in the past and stay out of the work force for shorter terms with their pre-school children, and in spite of all this effort to supplement the family income, their hard-earned second paycheck only serves to maintain what one paycheck achieved in the past. All workers are losing ground, but women to a greater extent than men.
This situation report isn’t a complaint: it’s a call to action. Governments continue to fail to address key issues such as elder care and childcare that severely and negatively women’s participation in the workforce. While the majority of women with pre-school children are in the workforce, only 15% of them have access to public childcare. And at the end of their working careers, which are disproportionately spent in part-time, low-wage and precarious employment, women face a greater prospect of poverty than their male counterparts. The low income rate of senior women on their own significantly exceeds that of men, at more than double the rate. And this hardship isn’t merely historic. Young women today will experience the same poverty in their senior years as women do now. Lack of affordable public childcare will keep them in low-paying part-time jobs and cuts to good-paying union jobs will eliminate opportunities for access to financial security.
On the hundredth anniversary of the movement to extend citizenship and security to women, the labour movement calls upon government to reform the Canadian Pension Plan, gradually enhancing benefits from 25% of insurable earnings to 50%, double the current rate and raise the Guaranteed Income Supplement so no senior lives below the poverty line. The current federal government position that people should invest in private sector pension plans rather than look to an enhanced CPP hasn’t worked for 40 years and isn’t likely to do so now. It will be good for the banks and plan managers but do nothing for workers, especially those in part-time jobs.
Social programs were instrumental in raising working Canadian’s access to income and retirement security throughout the twentieth century. Today, many of those programs are under attack and others are still underdeveloped., especially those which impact women’s lives and careers. It is incumbent upon government to work to eliminate all forms of discrimination in the workforce and society, to address families needs for adequate childcare, elder care and pension programs and ensure that women can take their place as full participants in the Canadian economy. Our national economic well-being and productivity depend on it.
Elaine MacDonald
President, Cornwall & District Labour Council
(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of the Cornwall Free News, their staff, or sponsors.)
Elaine MacDonald writes -“the labour movement’s call for women’s right to work….”
The Word of God declares that women, wives and mothers should be keepers at home. For women to work in the work force is one of the main causes of the destruction of the family and marriage. (i.e. Covertness – greed, adultery). Just think if all the women – wives and mothers quite their jobs and went back home to do their God given roles. There would be no unemployment for men, there would be no more latch key kids, think of it, what savings the govt would make when day cares would be a thing of the past.
Womanhood and motherhood is a grand high calling for woman! To work in the work force outside the home is not a step up for women, but a step down to further bondage and grief.
1Ti 5:11 -14 “But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully”.
Tit 2:3-5 “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed”.
This is God’s expressed will for marriage and the family. He created us, and He has given His will on the matter. Real joy and happiness comes by obeying God with a renewed heart of love. Judgment comes when we choose to rebel against God’s good word for us, and thus bring God’s sore displease down upon our heads. It is what we deserve for rejecting God’s righteous way of doing things! His way is best; His way works; His way brings glory to His blessed Name!
Any woman who works outside of the home will roast in hell for eternity! So sayeth the preacher.
I want to scream!! Had it not have been for the wars that MEN brought upon their countries,women would not have been driven into the workforce to begin with. And in this day & age we must work to help financially PLUS go home & “guide the house”!! Although I do admire the stay at home mom,we could not have afforded this option…so I take great offence to your stance…that if I was sequestered away,sheltered from the realities of life & obedient to my hubby & doing my duties as a wife & mother, we would be happier? I am self-employed,& by example I am proudly showing my daughter that she can be whatever she desires & to go for it!
sigh.
whatever.
happy 100th international women’s day everyone:)
there is a lot more positive to read on today here:
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/
and actually, anywhere but here,lol.
Kudos to you Chris and the billions of women that make this planet work.
Chris writes – “And in this day & age we must work to help financially PLUS go home…” No one said you had to live up to the Jones. Greed, covetousness, and materialism fuels the Western world economy; thus the government encourages two income families. More taxes to the government and of course, the children are left in public school to be brain washed with secular humanism. It is all after that better life, and the “American dream”, but the average two income family does not have time (or any time left ) to enjoy the good life. The poorer gets poorer, and rich gets richer – that is why we invented socialism! But it is greed that fuels the human depraved heart. We have forgotten the words of the Lord Jesus Christ – Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth”.
And Chris you are right that during the World Wars women were forced, as it were, into the work force, but now women like it that way, and they have no intention of going back to be keepers of home. The religion of most modern women is the radical religion of feminism. Eve was the first women to kick against God’s order, and all the unregenerate daughters of Eve follow in her footsteps. The sad thing about it all, many women believe these footsteps lead to happiness, fulfillment, and security, but as our society proves on a daily bases such is not the case.
Take a modern woman who has made in the corporate world. She has done it all – degrees, income, ruled over men, etc. When she gets about forty or so, she starts thinking about what is missing in her life. So she decides to have a family, a baby. This illustration is so common among older women it is not funny. Womanhood and motherhood are built in desires given to them by God. Disappointment,dissatisfaction, and emptiness results as women throw off their God given purpose.
From my last post – “This is God’s expressed will for marriage and the family. He created us, and He has given His will on the matter. Real joy and happiness comes by obeying God with a renewed heart of love. Judgment comes when we choose to rebel against God’s good word for us, and thus bring God’s sore displease down upon our heads. It is what we deserve for rejecting God’s righteous way of doing things! His way is best; His way works; His way brings glory to His blessed Name!”
Well Chris, according to the preacher, any woman who doesn’t stay home, have babies, obey her husband, and be discreet and chaste, will be in deep sh!t with his god. The scary and sad thing is that this a-hole has a wife and kids. I sincerely hope that there are agencies such as the C.A.S. keeping a close eye on them.
because I work,my daughter will be able to go to university…no greed there…pure love
unregenerate daughters of Eve
sounds like a rock band.
yes, with Courtney Love on lead 😉
but chris…then you are just encouraging the madness that is educated women.
How ’bout Pastor Tom and the Flaming Sinners. Bet they’d rock out really good.
A 100 years has past and as the Preacher Man shows us, we still have a lot of work ahead.
Angela, here’s something uplifting for you:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eve-ensler/for-the-builders-the-plan_b_832654.html
Hope this brightens your day.
It is so easy to assume that two income families work to fulfill their need to keep up with the Jones. I work to actually put food on the table. Our family lives a pretty lean life…no fancy cars,no new clothes,every meal is prepared from scratch (just doing my duty), not a penny is unwisely spent…but still life is a rollercoaster…jobs get lost,wages cut,& illness & death can set a family back & put alot of pressure on one person to solely provide for the family. So, we both are self-employed (so technically I am not stealing a job that would otherwise be filled by a man), my husband can cook & he knows how to do laundry. Thankfully my husband does not demand obedience & has had a good laugh at the thought actually…..
Yes Chris, the mention of obedience didn’t make my wife’s wedding vows either 🙂
Great article Angela!
Admin: I guess your wedding was not before the God of Heaven and Earth, the true and living God. Maybe it was before a god of your own making – an idol!
See what you are missing out on – admin: “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed”(Tit 2:3-5).
Actually Tom I love my wife very much and it was a lovely ceremony in a park in Vancouver with our friends and family flying in from all parts of the world. And while we come from different religious backgrounds we had hints of each in the ceremony. It was a day I’ll never forget and something I’ll be proud of for the rest of my life.
Admin: I commend you for actually getting married. Today co-habitation is so common and accepted by all, but such human arrangements are not agreeable to God, as revealed in His Holy Word, and does not glorify Him at all, which is by the way the real reason why God created us,
God who instituted marriage also sets the standard: Eph 5:21 – 25 ” Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it”.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it”. Such a high standard God sets for all husbands to obey. There is grace and help from God to do just that.
Holy Jumpin’, Jamie! Is the preacher saying you might not roast in hell after all? That must be a big relief.
Hey preach, whatever happened to equality? This is 2011 AD and not 35 AD. Women are treated differently now!
Sorry Furtz, you are reading into things again. Your way of misrepresenting what I write is typical of a lost religious person who hates God, His word, and His people. Get a new life!
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”(John 11:25,26).
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not”(Joh 6:35-36).
If Jesus (if he ever did exist) actually did spew that crap, I’d say that he had a pretty inflated view of himself.
All Hail The Flying Spaghetti Monster!!!!
Antipasta – define Biblical equality, that’s what matters for time and eternity.
I think it is sad and scary that Indoctrinator Tom was actually given a position that allows him to spout his ludicrous beliefs. I think it is even scarier and sadder that he apparently has an audience that listens to him. Tom, I can’t believe that you are advocating for women to “go back home and do their God given roles.” I feel wrong just quoting your words! Wake up! It’s 2011. Your beliefs are 100 years out of date. Start reading other books.
William: I read a whole lot of other books – theology, pastor counseling, psychology, church history, missionary stories and apologetics . And I am up to date on the persecuted church in the world. I even read the local new sources in Cornwall and through out Canada.
And I read, study, and pray over the Holy Word of God. Why would I do that? The Lord Jesus said this way – Joh 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”.
The Apostle Peter said this way -“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God”( Joh 6:66 – 69).
As to women liberation and worldly feminism, the Word of God is still speaking loud and clear – “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Tit 2:3-5).
We can poke fun and cast off the Preachers words but unfortunately, this kind of thinking is at times the underlying root regarding violence against women by either fists or guns. Rosemary Brown (Canadian MP) once said that there is a war against Women, if you added up all the Women who were murdered annually throughout the world just because of their gender it would equal gennocide. The Preacher may be entitled to his opinion but do we really have to put up with him spreading that kind of BS?! I think that there is a special place in Hell for him!
News Worthy: you did not read “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it”(Eph 5:25). Also Eph 5:33 “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband”. Such a high standard God sets for all husbands to obey. There is grace and help from God to do just that. Christianity doe not advocate violence against women – you are reading the wrong book!
@ William. The preacher obviously has some serious mental issues, and we can only hope that maybe someone who cares about him will convince him to seek treatment. In the meantime, I hope that his kids and wife are OK. The other concern is that there must be quite a few families that belong to and support his “church” to keep it afloat. How many kids, do you suppose, have parents who follow the preacher’s teachings? It sure gives me the creeps.
Ok, I know this may be a bit unpopular, but I’m getting used to pulling daggers out of myself 🙂
I don’t feel comfortable with calling anyone on this site names or suggesting they’re whacko…even if they are. It’s not that I’m chastising. I just think that a) it weakens any actual debate of a position and b) can reflect poorly on the person suggesting it. In this case Furtz I believe is a very sound debater that can present their point very clearly.
I just think beating on each other becomes a bit of a circular argument with no productive result. Something I hope for on the CFN, and I think thanks to most of you we actually achieve at times is some constructive and strong discussion on important issues. That’s amazing, and I think a lot of viewers appreciate it.
So to everyone….I’m asking as a personal favor, please limit personal attacks; even if certain posters may deserve it. You can’t have Democracy or defend Democracy if you don’t let people state their positions.
But its ok for you to attack posters Jamie.I would say more but i,m on side with your last comment.
Beside you wpuldn,t let it through
That’s good Jamie. It’s your site and I will respect the rules. I’ve been amazed at many of the comments, including my own, that you have allowed here. That’s why I keep checking in.
I wouldn’t describe a person with mental illness as “whacko”. It’s a disease that nobody wants or needs.
Hi Furtz. I’m not sure this about rules, but what I hope is a goal for most people here. I’m human too, and I’m sure on occasion I slip over the line. I know how hard it can be sometimes.
Cheers,
Jamie
News Worthy says: nothing, no reply No proof for such a statement “this kind of thinking is at times the underlying root regarding violence against women by either fists or guns”. I believe the moon is made of green cheese – I challenge anyone to prove me wrong! I said it therefore it must be true, right News worthy?
ALSO “I think that there is a special place in Hell for him!” – chapter and verse please!
Hey Preacher,
I do not question that God, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Goddess, Krishna, The Creator, Mother Earth, (shall I go on?) sends a loving message to all his/her children, that is not my platform. I’m talking about people who interpret religeous writing and books only to use it as a weapon against others. Lets not play games now Preacher, I can sense your passion as you spout off. Get the book, The Viccars of Christ, that’s a good read if you want some insight into Christianity, and I’ll tell you, it isnt pretty stuff!!
PS Preacher,
I did not quote the Bible, I leave that for you to do. You made my point exactly, you need to think outside the “Book”, where is your original thought? Tunnel vision is not healthy!
it seems that there is no original thought or personal opinion that is acceptable. How utterly boring a world this would be if we were all clones spewing out the same thing. Diversity makes our planet rich!… Just a thought…what man would have done all that Oprah has? She is a deeply religious woman no question & has done so much for humanity, through love, acceptance & compassion & has mentored so many people…man & woman. Hmmm…the fact that she’s shacked up with Stedman would destine her for hell despite ALL of the good she has done? I’m thinking NO!!
The moon is made of green cheese. Only racists disagree. Personally, I can’t take being critiqued. It hurts my feelings. If you hurt my feelings I will call everyone in town and hopefully have your site pulled down before you can take a dangerous stand during the election. In a real democracy you can’t say things that make me feel bad. I’m going to tell the cops you made a not nice stick drawing. I have no defense against stick drawings.
Oprah – is into New Age occult religion. She has opened her mind and the minds of many others to the dark side! The god within! Ordinal thought you want – why go to college, university then? Is there any truly original thought there! New names, same old lie of Satan – Gen 3:5 “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil”. Nothing new under the sun – sorry!
News Worthy: Viccars of Christ. Why would I waste my time reading about the Roman Catholic Church? There is no salvation in the Roman Catholic Church – I am a Protestant, and I reject everything that is about the Whore of Revelation 17-18. Her judgment day is coming!
I smell a rat…..
Tom never pick on Oprah. Even I know that.
so open minds & knowledge are bad? Wouldn’t want a woman to be too educated.would we?…And you cannot dispute all the good Oprah has done…..healing the hurt….empowering the weak…wouldn’t she make a great president! :))))
am wondering if you would want anyone near you with a scalpel without having the knowledge learned in medical school…better yet…how about a woman doctor who also happens to be a….MOTHER? Another hmmmm moment….
Oh yeah…now I remember why I don’t come here so often anymore….
All humans are equal. While the majority of civilized society certainly agrees with that, there are certain segments whose thought process is mired in 5,000 year old texts. And this segment of society carries alot of clout (alot more than it merits). Unfortunately, while some involved in these groups are open to change, and even embrace it, there are those whose mindset is so suck in the past that they are incapable of change. These people will eventually pass on, and we can bury their rotten ideas with their rotting flesh and move on. Patience.
Having won the right to work, women’s still experience a gender pay gap of “70.5%”? I think you’re a little off here. Looks like you’ve got it backwards. If women earn 70% of what men do then the gap is 30% right? You also say that this isn’t a complaint but a call to action. Ya let’s make another call to the “government” to fix this, like if there’s some sort of a magical solution. All it comes down to in the end is hire taxes in order to pay women full wages during pregnancy, or full wages no matter how much time taken off for childcare. You could count on your fingers how many women would be going back to if they were paid not to lol [ quite the motivational tactic ]. The only other option would be to force employers to fit the entire bill for your childcare decisions. How fair is that? I’d like to see the long line of people willing to put their money where their mouth is on this one ! It reminds me of the people who rave on about mom’s job being worth $100 thousand a year but then cry a river if they have to pay a babysitter or daycare worker more than five bucks an hour. Maybe we should be honest with the people of Cornwall and publish an article called “Elaine Macdonald wants Cornwall tax payers and employers to fit the bill for women’s childcare decisions”.
To think of all the meaningful discussions we could have here, but the first response is from a preacher with a mentality from the dinosaur age, although he probably thinks the earth wasn’t even “created” that far back LOL! Stop feeding the beast by responding to him. Sure i took acid when i was a kid [ like the preacher admitted doing when he was younger] but i recovered ! He’s a brainwashed freek who doesn’t represent men ,and he doesn’t even represent religion. On another note, i’d like to respond Chris [ second after preacher on top ] . I agree with you. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with women working. I have a lot of respect for women working to provide for their families and even helping out their husbands. My wife is going to start working next week to help out because we’ve been having some hard times financially, which is taking a big toll on me stress wise. If a man is stressed out how is that good for his his wife and kids? Guys like the preacher aren’t just hurting women with this stuff. He’s basically telling me that it’s “my duty” “as a man” to take care of all the financial problems in my family, nevermind if i was sick and my wife was better suited to work… The only thing i didn’t agree with Chris was this statement “Had it not have been for the wars that “MEN” brought upon their countries,women would not have been driven into the workforce to begin with”. I think the stance we took was that the men “here” were more or less on the side of good and acted in self defence. Even if our country had been on the wrong side, i woudn’t have labelled it “MEN” bringing war upon their country, i’d label it ” THE MEN IN POWER” bringing war upon their country. Other than that IT’S ALL GOOD