**For Immediate Release**
March 10, 2004
 From the Prairie Womens Health Centre of Excellence (PWHCE)
Women on welfare seek policies to reduce poverty
On March 12, 2004, the Prairie Women's Health Centre of Excellence and
Equal Justice for All, a Saskatoon-based, grassroots, anti-poverty
organization, are releasing a new report, "Don't We Count as People?
Saskatchewan Social Welfare Policy and Women's Health."
This report presents the findings of a participatory research project that
documents the experiences of 43 women living on social assistance. These
women took part in focus groups in five of the eleven social service
administrative regions of Saskatchewan in April 2003.
"If we listen to the voices of the women in this report, they are clearly
saying that it is time to mend the social safety net," says Kay Willson,
Prairie Women's Health Centre of Excellence Research Manager. "The
connection between low income and poorer health is well established.
Developing public policies to reduce poverty is a good prescription for
improving the health of the population."
The report presents 13 specific recommendations including changes in
provincial income assistance policies to reduce poverty and improve health.
According to the authors of the report, "Women on social assistance should
participate in shaping the policies that affect their lives. These
Professors of Poverty should be represented in decision-making circles.
Look at all the reports and recommendations that have been written over the
years. It's time to take action to reduce poverty."
For more details or interviews contact:
Kay Willson, Research Manager, PWHCE, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Phone: (306) 966-8658
Fax: (306) 966-7920
Email: [log in to unmask]
Joanne Havelock, Policy Analyst, PWHCE, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Phone: (306) 585-5727
Fax: (306) 585-5825
Email: [log in to unmask]


Mona Dupré-Ollinik, BSW, BA
Coordonatrice de liaison/Outreach Coordinator
Canadian Women's Health Network/Réseau canadien pour la santé des femmes
419, avenue Graham, Suite 203
Winnipeg (MB) R3C 0M3

Tel: (204) 942-5500 ext,/poste 13
Fax/Télécopieur: (204) 989-2355
Toll free/Numéro sans frais: 1-888-818-9172
www.cwhn.ca
e-mail/courriel: [log in to unmask]

TTY 204-942-2806
TTY toll free number 1-866-694-6367

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