For the first time in Canadian history, the federal government is using gender-based analysis (GBA) in the national budget. Feminist Legal Studies Queen’s (FLSQ) is convening its International Women’s Day conference to discuss how gender equality issues fit into the broad legal and analytical framework. The conference, “Gender-based Analysis and Gender Budgeting for Equality, Inclusion, Development and Democracy,” will take place on March 10 and 11 on Queen’s campus in Robert Sutherland Hall.

“The decision to use GBA in Budget 2017 creates new demand for students, graduates, community groups, lawyers and academics who can analyze how gender equality is affected by all laws, social policies, government programs and social attitudes,” says Professor Kathleen Lahey, co-director of FLSQ. 

The conference brings international, national, community organization, provincial and municipal experts on GBA+ and equality to Queen's to present six panels.

“Our keynote speaker, Yamini Mishra, will bring us all up to speed on what is GBA, how to do it, and why focus on money,” says Lahey. Mishra is a UN Women Regional Gender Planning and Budgeting Specialist for the Asia Pacific Region of UN Women and Queen’s University Principal’s Development Fund International Visitor.

Panel discussions will cover a wide array of topics, including gender budgeting for Aboriginal women’s equality, pay equity for care workers, violence against non-heterosexual women and women in the military. Speakers include specialists with NGOs, public servants, professors, students and former Senator Nancy Ruth.

For detailed program and registration information, go to the FLSQ website. 

By Anthony Pugh