International Human Rights Day Dec. 10

OTTAWA ... This Sunday December 10, people across the country will mark International Human Rights Day by asking the federal government to realize that women's rights are human rights.

"This government let women down when they abandoned the promotion of women's equality, " said Barbara Byers, executive vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress.

On December 10th, in communities from coast to coast, women will come together to show their displeasure with the federal government over its cancellation of the provincial/federal child care agreements, its refusal to adopt a proactive pay equity law, at the changes, cuts and closures at Status of Women Canada and the cancellation of the Court Challenges Program.

"We have seen a series of actions that bring into serious doubt our current government's commitment to women's equality. From removing the promotion of women's equality from the mandate of Status of Women Canada to the elimination of funding for women's organizations for research and advocacy work, the actions of our government fly in the face of the promises to respect and promote women's human rights made by the leadership of the Conservative party during the last federal election," said Byers.

The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 3.2 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada's national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 135 district labour councils.

To send a message to the federal government to support women's issues, visit www.statusreport.ca