History of Women's Legal Rights in Canada
Canadian women of today can take for granted the many 'privileges' that we have-things that are our rights, yet were barely acknowledged until the last century. These things include having the right to own property, to vote, even to be considered a 'person' and to legally exist as a married woman! Life as a woman, during any time before the later half of the 20th century, was FILLED with inequality between the sexes. It was harder for women to get a divorce, their husbands could sell their homes without their consent, they would not get any money from their husband's wills, they would automatically lose custody of their children in the case of a divorce...and this is only for legal rights! For information on women's economic rights, click here.
We have many people to thank who have contributed to finding equality between women and men. There are organizations, such as the National Council of Women of Canada, and groups such as the Famous Five (pictured above): Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney, and Nellie McClung. These people convinced the government to give women what we have today, and that is why we also must thank the government. By that I do not mean the government that formed the British North America act (the Constitution), who did not include women as persons. We must thank the government that passed the Dower act, and the Persons Case, the government that helped women instead of discriminating against them. As women, we must take advantage of what we've been given, by doing things like exercising our right to vote, to ensure that our government continues to be just and equitable.
For more information on the conditions of women living with poor legal rights, click here.
For more information on who was involved in this social problem, click here.
For more information on the actions and responses taken in dealing with this social problem, click here.
We have many people to thank who have contributed to finding equality between women and men. There are organizations, such as the National Council of Women of Canada, and groups such as the Famous Five (pictured above): Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney, and Nellie McClung. These people convinced the government to give women what we have today, and that is why we also must thank the government. By that I do not mean the government that formed the British North America act (the Constitution), who did not include women as persons. We must thank the government that passed the Dower act, and the Persons Case, the government that helped women instead of discriminating against them. As women, we must take advantage of what we've been given, by doing things like exercising our right to vote, to ensure that our government continues to be just and equitable.
For more information on the conditions of women living with poor legal rights, click here.
For more information on who was involved in this social problem, click here.
For more information on the actions and responses taken in dealing with this social problem, click here.