Every issue is a women’s issue

by C.A. Schneider

very issue is awomen’s issue. This was E more than just the theme of last Tuesday

night’s political forum on women’s is- sues, it was also one of the few points all three parties agreed on. Each party had four candi- dates present to speak; the Conservative speak- ers were Pat Mella, Mildred Dover, Marjory Tattrieand Diane Griffin; Liberals present were Catherine Callbeck, Nancy Guptill, Jeannie Lea and Roberta Hubley; and the NDP speakers were Larry Duchesne, Barb Boudreau, Karen Fyfe and Heather DeMille.

During the opening statements, each candi- date had a chance to speak--12 minutes per party. The Conservatives emphasized women in politics, the need for reevaluation of priori- ties of government for women and families and their consensus decision making approach which allows for empowerment of women, seniors, young people and the physically and mentally challenged. They also emphasized the progres- sive part of their name, Progressive Conserva- tives. The Liberals, with their leader Catherine Callbeck leading off, emphasized the past tri- umphs of her party including 1988’s Mainte- nance Enforcement Act (which was reviewed in 1991) and the new employment standards which give women more financial equality. Also mentioned were the new sexual harassment policy and the sacrifice faced by those women

dates present spoke last. The party emphasized

child care (professionalised and available to |

all), criminalization of sexual harassment, af- firmative action groups, therapeutic abortions on P.E.I. and the need for private sector pay equity. There was also mention of the NDP party constitution which calls for gender parity, their newly established Ministry of Women’s Rights and involvement in the set up of Wom- en’s Centers at U.P.E.I. and Holland College as well as the formation of Women’s Studies programs at these institutions. After the open- ing statements, the candidates took questions from the host groups, the P.E.I. Advisory Coun- cil on the Status of Women and P.E.I. Women’s Network, and the audience. Questions were posed on such topics as funding for legal aid, provincial kindergarten, family violence, teen pregnancy, STD’s, women in small business, representation of women in government, pay equity and day care subsidy. The big question of the night, though, concerned therapeutic abortions on P.E.I. These questions were an- swered in the usual way with the Conservatives and Liberals going around in circles and the NDP promising to make everything better no matter what the cost. The evening was informa- tive, though too much information wascrammed in too little time. The organization was fairly competent, although not enough time was allot- ted for the forum. @

who choose to enter politics. The NDP candi-

orm ollin Elected

; Submitted by acting Che Renn of. fic icer, Trena Jenkins

Harassment

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sion about whether to lodge a complaint is up to you.

If you decide to make a complaint, amember of the Sexual Harassment Committee will then gather all the information you can provide about the offensive behaviour. Committee rep- resentatives will meet with the alleged harasser to make him or her aware of the complaint. The alleged harasser will be informed that sexual harassment is not tolerated by the University. Ifthe alleged harasser admits to the harassment, le or she must agree to several steps, including stopping the harassment without any repercus- sions to you, and writing you a letter of apology with a promise that the offensive behaviour will never re-occur.

Ifthe alleged harasser denies that sexual harass- ment took place, then the Committee will, with your permission, refer your complaint to the Prince Edward Island Human Rights Commis-

. Sion. The Committee will assist you, in what-

ever way possible, in filing a formal complaint with the Commission.

If the alleged harasser is one of your professors then the Committee may recommend that a disinterested faculty member evaluate your work or, if you prefer, that you be permitted to withdraw from the course.

Further sanctions against the harasser may be implemented by the President of the University after an admission or a finding by the Human Rights Commission.

For further information

Members of the Sexual Harassment Committee are representative of a wide cross section of the campus. Student representatives are Ray Murphy and Suzanne MacPherson and can be contacted through the Student Union. Dr. Philip Smith, Department of Psychology (0422) and Committee Chair Dr. Elizabeth Spangler, AVC (0848) are faculty members. Jay MacPhail, Audio Visual Department (0434) represents the support staff. Representing Student Services is Sharon Myers (0568). Copies of the Universi- ty’s Policy and Procedures: Sexual Harass- ment may be obtained from = Student Serv- ices Office. @