“UNPAC Unpacks in Brandon”

the Brandon Sun

October 26, 2006 by Molly Warner

Women of all different ages and interests gathered at the Women’s Resource Centre in Brandon on Oct. 17 for a workshop on the Manitoba provincial budget.

UNPAC, the United Nations Platform for Action Committee (Manitoba), held workshops all across the province teaching women about the provincial budget, giving them a chance to speak their minds freely and share experiences. Here in Brandon, they teamed up with the Marquis Project.

The women attended the workshop for many different reasons, and with different hopes and expectations in mind. For example, Martina Polo was eager to gain some extra knowledge for school.

“I’m writing my rural development masters thesis on the housing, safety and education needs of low-income women,” Polo said. “I came to learn about the concerns of women and how to make change in government spending.”

The attendees certainly did learn about how they can make a difference. Through hands-on activities, video, and informative hand-outs, they were given tips on actions such as letter writing, holding an event and meeting with their MLA. They also learned how the provincial budget is formed, how much is spent where and about the Manitoba Alternative Provincial Budget, so they could have all the tools and information they need to take action.

This knowledge will be helpful to motivated women like Mary Annis, who said, “Because I now have some time to devote to women’s issues, I came to find out how women are faring in Manitoba generally. I know that the majority of people living below the poverty line, or low-income cut off, are women, and I wondered what could be done. I’d like to take action to change this situation.”

Becky Thiessen, communications co-ordinator for UNPAC, stressed the importance of why women’s needs should be addressed during the budget-making process. “Women are 50 per cent of the population,” she said, “but they are underrepresented in decision making policies and it is reflected in a number of ways: less than one-quarter of the MLAs are women and that shows in the decisions and policies of our province. There is no effective system set up to ensure that women are living in affordable, safe and accessible homes… and if they choose to work outside the home, there is no assurance of child care.”

Molly Warner is a Canada World Youth participant volunteering at The Women’s Resource Centre in Brandon.