“Childcare In our society is our society’s signal that we really value children.
Without a strong commitment to child care we undermine not only our children’s future
but our community’s strength” – Paul Dewar MP April 2011
There is a terrible misconception going around that “If you do not have children, then why does quality, affordable, accessible childcare matter to you?”
Really? What about all those people in our workforce that provide direct materials, services and community supports for you. What if your police, firefighters, doctors, nurses, grocery store clerks, restaurateurs, teachers, and so on, were parents and one day they all did not have access to childcare? Would you be affected then? How can quality, affordable, accessible childcare not matter to you? This is a problem that has still not be resolved our society still views childcare as a want and not a need.
In 1967, Prime Minister Lester Pearson established the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. The commission adopted as its guiding light the words of the universal declaration of human rights.
Within this framework the commission established four principles.
-That women should be free to choose whether or not to take employment outside the home;
-That the care of children is a responsibility to be shared by the mother, the father and society
- That society has a responsibility for women because of pregnancy and childbirth, special treatment related to maternity will and always be necessary and
-That in certain areas women will for an interim time require special treatment to overcome the adverse effects of discriminatory practices
Where are the changes that were proposed in 1967? Where is the universal childcare program that had been promised? Think about it!
Statistically, parents in programs are all working.
Statistically the majority of our women are working.
But statistically they all do not have access to quality, affordable care.
So join us!
Help us pick a day, once a year,
And wear our badges, or buttons.
and show our society that you are able to work
because you,
luckily,
have childcare!
