For Immediate Release
June 11, 2020 – Calgary, AB – YWCAs have been advocating for women and girls for over 113 in years in Alberta. The four organizations are concerned that women and girls have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic and have submitted six recommendations to the Alberta Economic Recovery Council. The recommendations include establishing a Childcare Task Force; a strategy to attract and retain more women and gender-diverse people into Science, Technology, Engineer and Mathematics (STEM) jobs; top-up pay for frontline workers; financing for Municipal Governments to better support families; addressing the rise in racialized and gender-based violence; and sustainability supports for the civil society sector.
“A resilient Alberta starts with families who have access to good jobs, childcare and affordable housing. Enhancing mental health and ending domestic violence and poverty is at the core of a successful province.” says Sue Tomney, CEO of YW Calgary. “Our Economic Recovery Plan takes into account challenges facing women because the COVID-19 crisis has disproportionately affected them through job losses in industries where labour is predominantly held by women such as hospitality, increased pressure to deliver unpaid domestic labour and escalating gender-based violence. To successfully get our economy back on track we need to take this into consideration.”
Underpinning the YWCAs of Alberta recommendations is a request that all decision-making panels and committees’ set-up to deal with this crisis and the financial recovery include gender diverse representation at the table.
The YWCAs of Alberta have been operating in Alberta since 1907 and have supported and empowered women and girls through many other serious community hardships, including the two World Wars, The Spanish Influenza and the Great Depression. Collectively, they offer a range of services and programs, including women’s shelters and housing, childcare and mental health supports. The member associations operate in Calgary, Edmonton, Banff and Lethbridge.
The organization collaborated with numerous community groups and industry experts in business, childcare and STEM in preparing the recommendations for the Alberta Economic Recovery Council. Click here to read the recommendations and full Economic Recovery Plan.
-30-
About YW Calgary:
Voted one of Maclean’s Top 100 Charities of 2020, YW Calgary supports more than 5,800 Calgary women and their families each year. YW focuses on enhancing women’s safety and well-being while advocating for equity. Together with our donors, government and other social agencies, we provide crisis and transitional shelter, supported housing, counselling, parenting supports, childcare, language and employment programs that help move women from crisis to stability.
Women-centred.
Brighter-future focused.
ywcalgary.ca
For information and interview inquiries, please contact:
Delia Popa
Marketing & Communications Specialist, YW Calgary
Phone: 403.615.9877 | Email: dpopa@ywcalgary.ca
