“It’s not about the messenger, it’s about the messaging.”
That’s according to the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Carol Anne Haley.
Some advocacy groups have been calling on the Minister to join the COVID-19 briefings with Premier Ball and Minister Haggie to speak to issues facing women during this difficult time.
Haley says the issue is that women need to know there are services available to them if they are facing violence or any other issue in their lives. She believes the message has been put out there by Premier Ball and Minister Haggie and the message, in this case, has to be their main concern.
Domestic violence and violence against women have risen throughout the pandemic.
She understands that women and women’s groups across the province want to hear from her. Other advocates have joined the briefings, although she says the only Minister to join the panel to this point was Education Minister Brian Warr.
Haley says the issue has been addressed, and will continue to be by her and her department. She explains that other departments have been greatly impacted by the pandemic as well, and it’s not about the messenger and rather getting the message out to those who need it.
Haley says they have had a number of discussions with women’s groups and have provided the St. John’s Status of Women Council and Thrive with funding so they can get supports to women who otherwise couldn’t access them.
Haley refutes any claims that her department has been silent amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She says a lot of their work is done behind the scenes.
As for what the work is, Haley says it’s mostly on gender-based analysis that’s done on all work of government. Every department or agency of government applies such an analysis on all of its work, and the department provides input and support.
Haley says they are also working towards creating a central phone line for those who are experiencing violence or any other issue in their lives.
Several factors, like texting ability, still need to be considered.
Haley says work is ongoing for a specific, post COVID-19 economic recovery plan for women.
Her mandate, as the stand-alone department responsible for the status of women, she says is tackling gender-based analysis, women in leadership and violence prevention.
