The Prince Edward Island government has earned the highest overall grade to date in its progress towards equality goals for women, says Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Janice Sherry.
“The Equality Report Card issued by the Prince Edward Island Advisory Council on the Status of Women is an excellent resource that provides guidance on how we can continue to improve the lives of Island women,” said Minister Sherry. “The provincial government’s significantly improved grade this year is something we can be proud of and celebrate as we continue to collaborate with the Advisory Council.”
This year, the Advisory Council awarded the provincial government with a B- overall average.
In comparison to the 2009 report card, Prince Edward Island received a higher or consistent grade this year in six out of the seven grading categories. The most significant grade increase was in the category of women’s economic status. This achievement demonstrates the real steps government has taken to act on women’s equality issues.
The 2011 report card also highlights the substantial focus the provincial government has put on affordable housing, home care for seniors, employment standards legislation and targeted initiatives for family violence prevention. Prince Edward Island received the highest grade in the supports for caregiving category which includes childcare, supports for caregivers of people with disabilities and home care for ailing adults and seniors.
The Equality Report Card was created in 2007 by the Advisory Council as a process to assess Prince Edward Island’s progress towards women’s equality goals.
The next Equality Report Card will be released in 2013. This year’s P.E.I. Equality Report Card is available online at www.gov.pe.ca/acsw.
Summary of grade categories:
B for making equality a priority
C for women in decision-making
B for family violence prevention
C for access to justice
B+ for supports for caregiving
C- for women’s health
B- for women’s economic status