Women's Movement

1567 Words4 Pages

From 1960 to 1990 the women’s movement in Canada played a significant role in history concerning the revolution of women’s rights. Although it was a long road coming for them, they were able to achieve the rights they deserved. Women struggled for equality rights to men but primarily their rights as a person. Since the 1960s women’s rights had significantly changed, they had to work hard for the rights that they have in the present day. Females across the nation started speaking out against gender inequality, divorce, and abortion. This uprising coincided with the Women’s Movement. Through the Royal Commission on the status of women they were able to gain equality rights and they were able to have access to legal abortions through the Charter Rights of Freedom and obtain no-fault divorce through the Divorce Act of 1986. Women had proven their significance in Canadian history through their struggles in gaining rights that provided equality. In order to improve the rights of women, the following were established: Royal Commission on the Status of Women, Pay Equity, and Employment Equity Act. The Royal Commission on the Status of Women (RCSW) was called by Prime Minister Lester Bowles Pearson on February 3rd, 1967, to investigate and report on the condition of women which was initiated immediately after an organization, which was led by a coalition of thirty-two women, who protested for equal rights. Together, the thirty two women’s groups gathered to form an alliance against the government. They threatened to “lead a women’s march on Parliament Hill” if nothing were to be done for this matter. Therefore, Prime Minister Pearson did not have any other option except to establish the RCSW in response to this campaign. The C... ... middle of paper ... ...Encyclopedia. Published: July 11th, 2013. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/henry-morgentaler/. Morris, Cerise. “Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada.” Canadian Encyclopedia. Published: February 07, 2006. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/royal-commission-on-the-status-of-women-in-canada/. “Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada.” Canadian Encyclopedia. Published: February 02, 2006. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/royal-commission-on-the-status-of-women-in-canada/. Stoddart, Jennifer. “Women and the Law.” Canadian Encyclopedia. Published: February 05, 2013. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/women-and-the-law/. “Vital Statistics, Divorces Annual (Number).” Statistics Canada. Accessed June 06, 2014. http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/cansim/pick-choisir?lang=eng&p2=33&id=0530002.

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