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Trade union women collectively condemn the Canadian government’s cuts to CTF international program
The CTF news service reported that the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) received significant support from Education International (EI), Public Services International (PSI) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) at a February 23, 2011, session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW). The support came in the face of the Canadian government’s rejection of CTF international program proposal that would have benefited more than 2 million students and 40,000 teachers in developing countries.
CTF has 50 years of experience working with teachers in developing countries. Its international program annually engages some 400 Canadian teachers who volunteer their time to deliver professional development to teachers in Ghana, Guinea, India, Mongolia, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Togo.
“Gender equality and the empowerment of women have been cross-cutting issues in all of our international programs of education and development,” explained CTF President Mary-Lou Donnelly. “We have a long history of providing ongoing support to women teacher networks in Asia, Africa and Latin America, with a strong emphasis on eradicating violence against girls and women, advocating for legislation for equal rights and promoting gender equality in teacher organizations. They, in turn, enhance gender equity efforts of national partners.” She went on to add: “Canada must not relinquish its role as a champion for education and for peace building.”
