B u s i n e s s P l a n

Wmen s Plicy Office B u s i n e s s P l a n Wmen s Plicy Office P.O. Bx 8700 4th Flr West Blck Cnfederatin Building St. Jhn s, NL A1B 4J6 GOVERNMENT OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Message frm the Minister April 1, 2006 Gvernment is cmmitted t advancing the status f wmen and ensuring that wmen s vices are heard in Newfundland and Labradr. This cmprehensive plan f actin will infrm gvernment decisin making t advance this lng-term need in ur sciety. In the preparatin f this plan careful cnsideratin has been given t the strategic directins identified in Appendix A. This plan has been prepared in accrdance with the Gvernment Transparency and Accuntability Act prvisins fr a Categry 2 entity. Therefre, this plan fcuses n the prcesses necessary t meet gvernment s cmmitments t wmen. As Minister Respnsible fr the Status f Wmen, I am accuntable fr the preparatin f this plan and fr achieving the specific gals and bjectives. Jan Burke, MHA Minister Respnsible fr the Status f Wmen Wmen s Plicy Office i

Table f Cntents 1.0 Plan at a Glance...1 2.0 Organizatinal Overview...3 3.0 Mandate...4 4.0 Values...4 5.0 Lines f Business...5 6.0 Primary Clients...6 7.0 Visin...7 8.0 Missin...7 9.0 Strategic Issues...9 9.1 Vilence Preventin...9 9.2 Earned Incme and Emplyment...11 9.3 Scial and Ecnmic Security...13 9.4 Leadership and Decisin Making...15 Appendix A Strategic Directins...18 Wmen s Plicy Office ii

1.0 Plan at a Glance Visin The Visin f the Wmen s Plicy Office is true scial, legal, cultural and ecnmic equality fr wmen in the prvince f Newfundland and Labradr. Missin By 2011, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have cntributed t the advancement f wmen s scial, cultural, legal and ecnmic equality in Newfundland and Labradr. Gal 1: By March 31, 2008 the Wmen s Plicy Office will have crdinated and managed the Vilence Preventin Initiative Objectives: By March 31, 2007, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have crdinated the Vilence Preventin Initiative By March 31, 2008, the Wmen s Plicy ffice will have implemented and managed the Vilence Preventin Initiative Gal 2: By March 31, 2008 the Wmen s Plicy Office will have supprted greater participatin f wmen in ccupatins where they are currently under-represented. Objectives By March 31, 2007 The Wmen s Plicy Office will have initiated activities t encurage the greater participatin f wmen in ccupatins where they are currently under-represented. By March 31, 2008 the Wmen s Plicy Office will have develped and implemented a cmmunicatins strategy t prmte wmen in ccupatinal areas including entrepreneurship, where they are currently under-represented. Wmen s Plicy Office 1

Gal 3: By 2008, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have supprted increased knwledge and cnsideratin f and respnse t wmen s issues in legislatin, plicy and prgram develpment. Objectives By March 31, 2007, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have supprted gvernment departments and agencies in incrprating gender based analysis in legislatin, plicy and prgram develpment. By March 31 2008, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have explred with gvernment departments and wmen s rganizatins strategies t enhance individual department s participatin in advancing the status f wmen. Gal 4: By 2008, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have supprted the participatin f wmen in leadership and decisin making psitins at the cmmunity, reginal and prvincial levels. Objectives By March 31, 2007 the Wmen s Plicy Office will have wrked with NLFM t develp a training prgram fr wmen interested in municipal gvernment and made recmmendatins regarding the develpment and implementatin f a pilt training prgram t encurage wmen s participatin in leadership and decisin making psitins. By March 31, 2008 the Wmen s Plicy Office will have develped and implemented a cmmunicatin strategy t encurage wmen s participatin in leadership and decisin making psitins. Wmen s Plicy Office 2

2.0 Organizatinal Overview The Wmen s Plicy Office was established in 1985 t prvide specific resurces within the gvernment structure t pursue equality fr wmen thrugh gvernment plicies and prgrams. This prgram reprts t the Minister Respnsible fr the Status f Wmen, the Hnurable Jan Burke. The ffice has a cre cmplement f eight psitins cnsisting f the fllwing: Assistant Deputy Minister Secretary Directr f Research and Planning Clerk IV Manager f Infrmatin Services Cmmunicatins and Plicy Research Analyst Senir Research and Plicy Analyst Library Technician The Vilence Preventin Initiative is staffed by a cntracted manager psitin as well as ne cntract staff member. All psitins within the Wmen s Plicy ffice are currently filled by wmen. Fr 2006-2007, the Wmen s Plicy Office was allcated an estimated budget f $2,558,600. The Wmen s Plicy Office is lcated in St. Jhn s n the furth flr f the Cnfederatin Building, West Blck. The Wmen s Plicy Office cntracts delivery f services t St. Jhn s, Bay St. Gerge, Prt aux Basques, Crner Brk, Gander, Labradr City, Happy Valley-Gse Bay and Grand Falls- Windsr thrugh eight Status f Wmen Cuncils lcated acrss the prvince as well as thrugh six reginal crdinating cmmittees assciated with the Vilence Preventin Initiative. The Office als wrks clsely with the Prvincial Advisry Cuncil n the Status f Wmen whse mandate is t : (i) advise the minister n thse matters relating t the status f wmen that the minister refers t the advisry cuncil fr cnsideratin; (ii) advise the minister n thse matters relating t the status f wmen that the advisry cuncil feels apprpriate; (iii) bring befre the gvernment and the public matters f interest and cncern t wmen; and (iv) Wmen s Plicy Office 3

establish the general plicies that will gvernment the rganizatin, administratin and peratin f the advisry cuncil. The Wmen s Plicy Office is respnsible fr the Status f Wmen Advisry Cuncil Act, under which the Cuncil perates. 3.0 Mandate The Wmen s Plicy Office was established in 1985 by MC 116-85 t: develp and expedite Gvernment plicies and prgrams t enhance the scial and ecnmic status f wmen in the prvince and ensure that these are cmmunicated t the public; ensure that the impact n wmen f all legislatin, plicies and prgrams is brught t the attentin f the Minister Respnsible fr the Status f Wmen, Cabinet, Cabinet Cmmittees and departments; mnitr and review prgrams and ther activities f gvernment departments and agencies t ensure cmpliance and cnfrmity with the gvernment plicy f imprving the status f wmen; and liaise with prvincial gvernment departments and agencies, ther gvernments and advisry cuncils and wmen s rganizatins n all issues affecting wmen. 4.0 Values The values expressed in this plan are intended t reflect managerial values fr the peratin f the Wmen s Plicy Office and the cnduct f its staff. In this cntext, the values f the Wmen s Plicy Office has been identified belw: Prfessinal Each persn will wrk in a psitive, cperative and effective manner and actively seek evidence, pinins and prfessinal develpment pprtunities where apprpriate t fulfill her/his bligatins. Wmen s Plicy Office 4

Inclusive Each persn seeks the knwledge and pinins f thers, including clleagues, experts, wmen, equality seeking rganizatins and ther stakehlders when develping advice, plicy and psitins. Infrmative Each persn shares relevant infrmatin and respnds t requests in a timely and apprpriate manner using innvative technlgy and availing f pprtunities t infrm and educate, aware f the current status f wmen in Newfundland and Labradr. 5.0 Lines f Business Plicy Analysis and Advisry Services: The Wmen s Plicy Office defines plicy as any actin taken by gvernment. The Office applies gender based analysis t gvernment plicy in such frms as legislatin, prgrams and services. By applying gender based analysis t gvernment plicy, the Wmen s Plicy Office prvides advice t departments n hw wmen are affected, highlights needs and gaps and advises n hw gender equity wuld be better achieved. Infrmatin Cllectin and Cmmunicatin Services: The Wmen s Plicy Office is respnsible fr cllecting plicy relevant infrmatin frm a variety f surces t prvide evidence based plicy advice and reprt annually n the status f wmen. T meet this respnsibility, the Wmen s Plicy Office maintains a public library n wmen s issues, cllects statistics and cnducts research t assess the current status f wmen, as well as t identify systemic inequities and infrmatin gaps. As part f the infrmatin cllectin prcess, the Wmen s Plicy Office cnsults regularly with wmen and wmen s rganizatins t identify nging and emerging issues f special cncern as well as ptential slutins. Beynd prviding plicy advice t gvernment departments, the Wmen s Plicy Office cmmunicates infrmatin n the status f wmen thrugh publicatins, events and initiatives. Wmen s Plicy Office 5

Vilence Preventin Initiative Services: The Wmen s Plicy Office administers a grants prgram fr cmmunity anti-vilence rganizatins; crdinates the delivery f the Vilence Awareness and Actin Training Prgram; facilitates meetings f VPI cmmittees; crdinates public awareness n vilence preventin and prvides clearing huse services fr infrmatin n vilence. Grants Prgram: The Wmen s Plicy Office prvides nn-repayable grants t equity seeking grups fr activities and initiatives that seek t advance the status f wmen in Newfundland and Labradr subject t apprved criteria. 6.0 Primary Clients Fr the purpse f this plan, primary clients are defined as any persn, grup r rganizatin that requires the attentin, resurces r services f the Wmen s Plicy Office. In this cntext, the mandate and gals f the Wmen s Plicy Office can nly be achieved thrugh wrking in partnership with equality seeking wmen s rganizatins as well as gvernment departments, ther prvincial and federal gvernments, industry partners and ther cmmunity grups. On a regular basis, the Wmen s Plicy Office cnsults with the Prvincial Advisry Cuncil n the Status f Wmen regarding the cncerns f the wmen they serve as well as their prpsed slutins. With respect t vilence preventin, the Wmen s Plicy Office leads a cmmunity-gvernment partnership t address vilence, including vilence against wmen. Gvernment partners include the departments f Justice, Health and Cmmunity Services, Educatin, Human Resurces, Labur and Emplyment, Labradr and Abriginal Affairs and Educatin, alng with the Rural Secretariat and the Newfundland and Labradr Husing Crpratin and Labur Relatins Agency. Cmmunity partners include thse wrking t prtect thse mst at risk in ur sciety including wmen, children, senirs, persns with disabilities and ther vulnerable ppulatins wh are victims f vilence because f their race, ethnicity, sexual rientatin r ecnmic status. T increase wmen s earned incme and emplyment, the Wmen s Plicy Office wrks in partnership with the departments f Human Resurces, Labur and Emplyment, Natural Resurces and Envirnment and Cnservatin t increase wmen s emplyment in well paying jbs, particularly thse in the natural resurce sectrs. This is largely dne using the Envirnmental Assessment Act t require prpnents f large scale natural resurce develpments t put wmen s emplyment plans in place. T this end, the Wmen s Plicy Office wrks clsely with industry partners such as Visey s Bay Wmen s Plicy Office 6

Nickel Crpratin, Crner Brk Pulp and Paper and the Canada- Newfundland Offshre Petrleum Bard and a cmmunity partner, the Wmen in Resurce Develpment Cmmittee. The Wmen s Plicy Office als wrks with pst-secndary and training institutins n accessibility f training and educatin fr wmen fr these ccupatins. T imprving wmen s scial and ecnmic security, the Wmen s Plicy Office cntinues t wrk clsely with all prvincial gvernment departments t ensure that the impact n wmen f all legislatin, plicies and prgrams is brught t decisin makers. The Wmen s Plicy Office maintains a clse relatinship with Status f Wmen Canada as well as all Ministers in Canada respnsible fr the Status f Wmen. Wrking t increase wmen s participatin in leadership and decisin making rles the Wmen s Plicy Office wrks with cmmunity partners such as the Cmmunity Service Cuncil, Status f Wmen Cuncils, and the Prvincial Advisry Cuncil n the Status f Wmen as well as wmen s Abriginal, multicultural and senirs grups t strengthen wmen s vices. The Wmen s Plicy Office als wrks with gvernment departments t increase nminatins f qualified wmen t agencies, bards and cmmissins. 7.0 Visin The Visin f the Wmen s Plicy Office is true scial, legal, cultural and ecnmic equality fr wmen in the prvince f Newfundland and Labradr. 8.0 Missin The missin statement identifies the pririty fcus area f the Minister ver the next tw planning cycles. It represents the key lnger-term result that the Minister and the Wmen s Plicy Office will be wrking twards as they mve frward n the strategic directins f Gvernment. The statement als identifies the measure(s) and indicatr(s) that will assist bth the entity and the public in mnitring and evaluating success. Statistical data cllected ver the years als indicates prgress that has been made t imprving the status f wmen in Newfundland and Labradr. In 1971, 28% f thse with university degrees were wmen but by 2001, wmen made up nearly 52% f university graduates. In 1971, wmen s average emplyment Wmen s Plicy Office 7

incme was 47% f men s. By 2001, we have made gains as wmen s average emplyment Incme was 63%. Obviusly, there is still rm fr imprvement. In 1971, wmen nly accunted fr 28% f the labur frce. By 1981 wmen were 37% and by 2001, wmen s participatin in the labur frce was 48%. Wmen are nw better educated and trained t enter the wrkfrce at a time when the demand fr labur will be increasing. The labur market in Newfundland and Labradr is expanding and diversifying, creating mre pprtunities fr wmen t participate in the labur frce. Key areas f expansin are the il, mining, frestry and agrifds industries, and innvatin and research. Despite significant strides frward in the struggle fr equality and fairness, wmen still experience high levels f vilence and abuse in ur sciety. Wmen s equality has als yet t be achieved in areas f earned incme and emplyment, scial and ecnmic security, leadership and decisin making psitins. Therefre, the necessity and relevance f the Wmen s Plicy Office and its wrk cntinues t exist. Missin: By 2011, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have cntributed t the advancement f wmen s scial, cultural, legal and ecnmic equality in Newfundland and Labradr. Measure: Cntributins t the advancement f wmen Indicatrs: Recmmendatins made t Cabinet, Cabinet Cmmittees and departments t advance the status f wmen. The number f assessments cnducted Training prvided regarding gender based analysis, leadership and vilence preventin The number f training prgrams The number f participants wh have cmpleted training Cmmunicatins n issues related t the status f wmen t the public The number f speaking engagements, press cnferences, wrkshps and/r infrmatin sessins The number f press releases and statements issued The number f advertisements The number f materials distributed Wmen s Plicy Office 8

9.0 Strategic Issues In cnsideratin f Gvernment s strategic directins and the mandate and financial resurces f the Wmen s Plicy Office, the fllwing areas have been identified as the key pririties f the Minister fr the next tw years. The gals identified fr each issue reflect the results expected in the tw year timeframe while the bjectives prvide an annual fcus. Measures and indicatrs are prvided fr bth the gal and the first year s bjective t assist bth the Department and the public in mnitring and evaluating success. 9.1 Vilence Preventin Vilence against wmen is an bstacle t the achievement f the bjectives f equality, develpment and peace. Vilence against wmen bth vilates and impairs r nullifies the enjyment by wmen f their human rights and fundamental freedms. All methds f data cllectin tend t undercunt victims f vilence due the very persnal nature f these experiences. In 2004, the Ryal Newfundland Cnstabulary reprted that female victims cmprised 76 per cent f sexual assault victims, 50 per cent f ther sex crime victims and 70 per cent f reprted harassment victims. The 1999 General Scial Survey identified that Abriginal wmen run a greater risk f being victims f vilence than d ther Canadian wmen: three times as many Abriginal wmen reprt that they have experienced sme frm f vilence perpetrated by their spuse and Abriginal wmen run eight times the risk f being killed by their spuse after a separatin. Abriginal wmen victims experience mre serius frms f spusal vilence with ptentially life-threatening cnsequences, at a rate f 48% cmpared with 31% f nn-abriginal victims. Plice statistics that measure the prevalence f spusal vilence is particularly limited because f its high dependence n the willingness f victims t reprt these events t plice. While they d prvide an indicatin f changes ver time, the willingness f victims t reprt incidents ver time can als change. The statistics reprted here therefre must be viewed as preliminary infrmatin regarding pssible changes in the severity and prevalence f vilence against wmen. Used n cnjunctin with ther surces f infrmatin such as thse prvided by wmen's centres and crisis shelters, they are useful tls in the assessment f the effectiveness f Wmen s Plicy Office 9

legislatin, plicies, prgrams and services designed t prevent and prtect against r prsecute acts f vilence against wmen. Gal: By March 31, 2008 the Wmen s Plicy Office will have crdinated and managed the Vilence Preventin Initiative Measure: Indicatrs: Leadership services prvided t the Vilence Preventin Initiative Implementatin, management and crdinatin f activities prvided t the Vilence Preventin Initiative Objectives: By March 31, 2007, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have crdinated the Vilence Preventin Initiative Measure: Crdinatin f all partner departments and agencies assciated with the Vilence Preventin Initiative Indicatrs: Met with VPI Deputy Ministers mnthly t manage prgram and prepare accuntability materials Prepared annual budget and wrkplan Prepared a reprt fr Cabinet Supprted VPI Cmmunity Advisry Cmmittee in rganizing an annual stakehlder cnference. Facilitated meetings with Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Cmmunity Advisry Cmmittee Develped an annual reprt n vilence preventin By March 31, 2008, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have implemented and managed the Vilence Preventin Initiative Wmen s Plicy Office 10

9.2 Earned Incme and Emplyment In 2003 Statistic s Canada reprted that n average, wmen earned 68 percent f men s earned incme. The 2001 Census indicated that the average emplyment incme fr Abriginal wmen in Newfundland and Labradr was $26,070, cmpared t $36,552 fr Abriginal men, $29,935 wmen in the general ppulatin and $37,910 fr men in the general ppulatin. In 2004, wmen cmprised almst 47 percent f the labur frce and 47 per cent f ttal emplyment. Wmen made up 44 percent f thse emplyed full-time and 68 per cent f thse emplyed n a part-time basis. Wmen made up 52 percent f thse permanently emplyed, 43 percent f thse temprarily emplyed, 31 percent f thse seasnally emplyed, 48 percent f cntract emplyees and 58 percent f casual emplyees. Apprximately 56 percent f thse emplyed in the public sectr were wmen f thse self-emplyed were wmen. Wmen in Newfundland and Labradr cntinue t be under-represented in several ccupatinal categries. Mst ntably, in 2004, nly 4.5 percent f trades wrkers, 16 percent f wrkers in primary industries and 20 percent f wrkers in natural and applied sciences were wmen. Gal: By March 31, 2008 the Wmen s Plicy Office will have supprted greater participatin f wmen in ccupatins where they are currently underrepresented. Measure: Indicatrs Supprt mechanisms prvided t encurage the greater participatin f wmen in ccupatins where they are currently under-represented. Recmmendatins made t (i) the Integrated Ecnmic Plan; (ii) Shaping the Apprenticeship System, and (ii) sustainable rural ecnmic pprtunities fr wmen. Recmmendatins made t: (i) strengthen requirements fr majr prject develpers t prepare and implement emplyment equity plans; and (ii) identify penalties fr nncmpliance. Cmmunicatin strategy develped and implemented t prmte wmen in ccupatinal areas where they are Wmen s Plicy Office 11

currently underrepresented including entrepreneurship. Research and dcumentatin cmpleted f best practices n: (i) family friendly wrkplace plicies, and (ii) vercming barriers fr wmen t advance int leadership psitins with the Prvincial Gvernment. Objectives By March 31, 2007 The Wmen s Plicy Office will have initiated activities t encurage the greater participatin f wmen in ccupatins where they are currently under-represented. Measure: Recmmendatins made t: The Integrated Prvincial Develpment Plan; Shaping the Apprenticeship System; Identify sustainable rural ecnmic pprtunities fr wmen; Strengthen requirements fr majr prject develpers t prepare and implement emplyment equity plans and identify penalties fr nncmpliance. Indicatrs Determined hw wmen s issues will be cnsidered in the develpment f the Integrated Prvincial Develpment Plan Participated in the Department f Educatin s Prject Resurce Grup t: (i) initiate an emplyer strategy; and (ii) increase prmtin f apprenticeship and website t emplyers Participated n the Marine Careers Secretariat and the Petrleum Industry Human Resurce Cmmittee t prmte the participatin f wmen in marine and petrleum related ccupatins where wmen are currently underrepresented. Met with the Rural Secretariat t discuss the applicatin f gender based analysis in the develpment f reginal visins and pririties Met with the Department f Envirnment and Cnservatin t identify pprtunities t strengthen requirements fr majr prject develpers t prepare and implement emplyment equity plans; and identify penalties fr nn-cmpliance. Wmen s Plicy Office 12

By March 31, 2008 the Wmen s Plicy Office will have develped and implemented a cmmunicatins strategy t prmte wmen in ccupatinal areas including entrepreneurship, where they are currently under-represented. 9.3 Scial and Ecnmic Security In 2003, Statistics Canada reprted that wmen s average incme was 64 percent f men s average incme. The 2001 Census reprted that average incme fr an Abriginal wmen in Newfundland and Labradr was $14,768, cmpared t $19,806 fr Abriginal men, $17,181 fr wmen in the general ppulatin and $28,114 fr men in the general ppulatin. While wmen in general are making great strides in educatin attainment nly 5% f Abriginal wmen earned university degrees cmpared t 10 percent f wmen in the general ppulatin. In 2004 Memrial University reprted that apprximately 62 percent f its full-time undergraduate enrlment were wmen. Wmen utnumbered men in every prgram categry except Engineering and Applied Science, and prgrams ffered at the Marine Institute. Within the private cllege system, wmen accunted fr 57 percent f enrlment. Of the seven prgram categries, wmen were under-represented in: (i) infrmatin technlgy; (ii) industrial educatin; and (iii) natural resurces. Gal By 2008, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have supprted increased knwledge and cnsideratin f and respnse t wmen s issues in legislatin, plicy and prgram develpment. Measure: Supprt mechanisms prvided t increase knwledge and cnsideratin f and respnse t wmen s issues in legislatin, plicy and prgram analysis and develpment. Indicatrs Explred with gvernment departments and wmen s rganizatins strategies t advance the status f wmen Wmen s Plicy Office 13

Recmmended t gvernment departments n hw they can participate in advancing wmen s equality Meetings with FPT Ministers respnsible fr the Status f Wmen and participatin in FPT wrking grups t address issues such as wmen s ecnmic security, justice, vilence against wmen and the special needs f Abriginal wmen and ther issues as they arise Develped and implemented f training fr gvernment emplyees regarding gender awareness and gender based analysis in develping and implementing gvernment plicy. Recmmendatins made regarding: (i) the quality f life fr Abriginal wmen; (ii) hmecare; (iii) healthy pririties fr wmen in rural and urban areas; (iv) senir s independence and well being; (v) pverty reductin; (vi) childcare; (vii) supprts fr immigrant wmen Develped and implemented f a cmmunicatin strategy t increase awareness f the status f wmen Objectives By March 31, 2007, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have supprted gvernment departments and agencies in incrprating gender based analysis in legislatin, plicy and prgram develpment. Measure Activities identified t supprt gvernment departments and agencies in incrprating gender based analysis in legislatin, plicy and prgram develpment. Indicatrs Participated in the prpsed jint meeting f FPT Ministers respnsible fr the Status f Wmen and Justice t address issues such as cnditinal sentencing; access t civil legal aid; emplyment insurance legislatin; and inter-jurisdictinal supprt rder enfrcement Develped and implemented training fr gvernment emplyees regarding gender awareness and gender based analysis in develping and implementing gvernment plicy. Made recmmendatins regarding: (i) the quality f life fr Abriginal wmen; (ii) hmecare; (iii) healthy pririties fr wmen in rural and urban areas; (iv) senir s independence and well being; (v) pverty reductin; (vi) childcare; (vii) supprts fr immigrant wmen. Wmen s Plicy Office 14

By March 31 2008, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have explred with gvernment departments and wmen s rganizatins strategies t enhance individual department s participatin in advancing the status f wmen. 9.4 Leadership and Decisin Making The Universal Declaratin f Human Rights states that everyne has the right t take part in the Gvernment f his/her cuntry. The empwerment and autnmy f wmen and the imprvement f wmen's scial, ecnmic and plitical status is essential fr the achievement f bth transparent and accuntable gvernment and administratin and sustainable develpment in all areas f life. Achieving the gal f equal participatin f wmen and men in decisin-making will prvide a balance that mre accurately reflects the cmpsitin f sciety and is needed in rder t strengthen demcracy and prmte its prper functining. The Federal Prvincial Territrial Ministers Respnsible fr the Status f Wmen have identified that, althugh Abriginal wmen represent the majrity f the ttal Abriginal ppulatin, they are generally under-represented in decisin-making circles. Amng the mst urgent issues is the need t supprt, encurage and increase the plitical representatin f Abriginal wmen, particularly with respect t agreements relating t self-gvernment. Wmen's equal participatin in decisinmaking is nt nly a demand fr simple justice r demcracy but can als be seen as a necessary cnditin fr wmen's interests t be taken int accunt. Withut the active participatin f wmen and the incrpratin f wmen's perspective at all levels f decisin-making, the gals f equality, develpment and peace cannt be achieved. Wmen are largely underrepresented at mst levels f gvernment, especially in ministerial and ther executive bdies. The Ecnmic and Scial Cuncil f the United Natins recmmends that wmen cmprise a critical mass f n less than 30 percent f decisin making psitins t affect change. Gal: By 2008, the Wmen s Plicy Office will have supprted the participatin f wmen in leadership and decisin making psitins at the cmmunity, reginal and prvincial levels. Wmen s Plicy Office 15

Measure: Indicatrs Supprt mechanisms t encurage the participatin f wmen in leadership and decisin making psitins at the cmmunity, reginal and prvincial levels. Cnsulted with the Newfundland and Labradr Federatin f Municipalities regarding training fr wmen interested in municipal gvernment. Made recmmendatins regarding the develpment and implementatin f a pilt training prgram t encurage wmen s participatin in leadership and decisin making psitins. Develped and implemented a cmmunicatin strategy t encurage wmen s participatin in leadership and decisin making psitins. Objectives By March 31, 2007 the Wmen s Plicy Office will have wrked with NLFM t develp a training prgram fr wmen interested in municipal gvernment and made recmmendatins regarding the develpment and implementatin f a pilt training prgram t encurage wmen s participatin in leadership and decisin making psitins. Measure: Actins identified t wrk with the NLFM t develp a training prgram fr wmen interested in municipal gvernment and made recmmendatins regarding the develpment and implementatin f a pilt training prgram t encurage wmen s participatin in leadership and decisin making psitins. Indicatrs Cnsulted with Prvincial Advisry Cuncil n the Status f Wmen as well as ther wmen s equality seeking rganizatins regarding their perspectives n wmen in leadership Met with the Newfundland and Labradr Federatin f Municipalities t discuss the develpment a municipal gvernment training prgram fr wmen Identified and evaluated leadership training prgrams in ther jurisdictins Recmmended a curse f actin regarding training t encurage wmen s participatin in leadership and decisin making psitins. Wmen s Plicy Office 16

By March 31, 2008 the Wmen s Plicy Office will have develped and implemented a cmmunicatin strategy t encurage wmen s participatin in leadership and decisin making psitins. Wmen s Plicy Office 17

Appendix A Strategic Directins Strategic directins are the articulatin f desired physical, scial r ecnmic utcmes and nrmally require actin by mre than ne gvernment entity. These directins are generally cmmunicated by Gvernment thrugh platfrm dcuments, Thrne and Budget Speeches, plicy dcuments, and ther cmmuniqués. The Transparency and Accuntability Act requires departments and public bdies t take int accunt these strategic directins in the preparatin f their perfrmance-based plans. This actin will facilitate the integratin f planning practices acrss Gvernment and will ensure that all entities are mving frward n key cmmitments. The directins related t the Status f Wmen are prvided belw. Each strategic directin is cmprised f a number f cmpnents, r fcus areas. These fcus areas will be addressed thrugh the varius planning prcesses f the Department. As indicated in the table belw, sme have been addressed in this [strategic] plan while thers are addressed in the peratinal and/r wrk planning prcesses. Title: Outcme: Wmen s Equity Wmen sharing equitably in scial and ecnmic benefits. Cmpnents f Strategic Directin Public Plicy Leadership Gender-based analysis by gvernment entities Quality f life f Abriginal wmen Applicable t Other Entities Reprting t the Minister This Directin is addressed: in the department s business plan X X X X in the department s peratinal plan in the branch/ divisinal wrk plans f the department Wmen s Plicy Office 18

Title: Outcme: Vilence Reductin f Vilence. Cmpnents f Strategic Directin Early preventin and educatin Abriginal wmen and children Public awareness and attitudes Legislatin, plicy and services Applicable t Other Entities Reprting t the Minister This Directin is addressed: in the department s business plan in the department s peratinal plan in the branch/ divisinal wrk plans f the department X X X X Wmen s Plicy Office 19