AUPE recognizes International Women’s Day with annual award presentation
EDMONTON – Today is International Women’s Day — “a day for everyone to reflect on the advances made by women everywhere towards genuine equity, and to look ahead to the challenges that remain,” says Sandra Azocar, chair of AUPE’s Women’s Committee.
“There are over 57,000 women in AUPE,” Azocar noted. “Every year, we recognize one woman for her outstanding effort and service to women and the broader labour movement with the DOVE Award. We’ll be presenting the award to a very deserving woman on Friday, Mar. 12.”
Members of the media are welcome to attend the ceremony, which will take place at noon at the union’s Headquarters, 10451 – 170 Street, on the second floor.
Azocar comments on this year’s Women’s Day theme, Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all, in the annual message from the Women’s Committee. She points to the lack of pay equity legislation or negotiation framework implemented in Alberta, while those have been implemented in nine other provinces. As well, over one in three employed women works for poverty-level wages, and the loss of the national child-care program was a significant step backwards for women’s equality.
However, she is heartened by the steps women have taken to combat injustices in the world. “Women have come together in community groups, political groups, social organizations and Unions, and they fight against things that breed inequality — exclusion, war, violence, poverty — and they fight for the things that matter — their children, men and women — and by doing so they transcend languages, borders, religion and politics.”
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For more information:
Sandra Azocar, AUPE Women’s Committee Chair, 780-930-5204