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12-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, March 13, 2001 Aýrmistrong say« s there's stili more wýork to be done for women 's rights - even in Canada By KIM ARNOiT Special to The Champion ajournalist, ay Armstron g has travelled to some of the most oppressive coun- tries in the worid - court- tries where women are rou- tinely denied basic human rights and dignities. Just last month, she vtsited Afghanistan, where the iron-rule of' the Muslim fundamentalist govem- ment has turned the clock back decades tor women. Women are no longer allowed to work or attend school, and can be puhlicly stoned to death for being in the company of a man who's flot their hushand, brother or son. Many health care services are no longer available to females, who must spend their lives hiding behind blackened house windows and in head-to-toe clothing. Women subjected to horrors In Afghanistan, as in other coun- tries around the world where women our killtngs and female genital muti- lareo subectd sucb heorosasn ho- tworld ba taoCnaa d oan t paing th cultur a trMp Ard."seto a gwrup of abour-0 Haltnd for men Thrday. ' sofe titnewoner whygnzine evr as the women howk the Caed abot ing to carry the cultural key in these places." Abuse here in Canada, too But white she's otten borrilied by the statut of women in many of tbe counriffes sbe visits, Ms Armstrong added she's alto angry about the abuse suffered by Canadian women and children. 'l'm asbamied that a country with so much opportunity can spend so lit- tde of it on the statut of women," she satd. She urged tbe audience, gathered at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club to celc- brate International Women's Day, to speak out against injustices they tee both locally and intemationally. 'People who dont( intervene wben things are amiss are giving tacit approval," Ms Armstrong said. "In the absence of a protest. evil is "I'm ashamed that a country with so much opportunity can spend so littie of it on the status of women." SALLY AMUTlUi nourished." As part of the celebration of International Women's Day, a local voice of protest bas been revived. The Women of Halton Action Movement (WHAM), a feminist lobby group lèunded 20 years agi), bas been officially re-launched. Bey Le Francois, one of the found- ing members of WHAM and a co- director of the Halton Rape Crisis Centre, told the audience that the group is needed to battle for a national childcare program, pay equity and affordable housing and against child pornogra- phy. rape and environmental degre- dation. -Canadian women are hearing that this is the best place tn the world," said Ms LeFrancois. 'Who ts it bett for? People of priv- ilege. in the main." 'ne need for WHAM is becoming essential in today's political climate. where social programs that protect vulnerable members of society are being eroded by various levels of govemment, added Joey Edwardt, executive director of the Halton Social Planning Council. "The circumstances of women demand we struggle and march again for equality, peace and justice," she said. WHAM will hold monthly meet- ings for aIl interested members. Tbe tirst meeting wtlt be held April 17 at the Rape Crisis Centre at Hopedale MaIl on Rebecca Street in Oakville. Ptoto by ERtN RtLEY Sally Armstrong, editor at large of Chatelaine magazine, was the keynote speaker et Thursday's International Women's Day celebration at Rattsnake Point Golf Club. The Raging Grannies performed at the International Women's Day event et Rattlesnake Point Golf Club Thursday.