• National coalition urges leaders to address women’s rights, gender equality

With gender issues largely absent from last night’s federal leaders’ debate, a new video ad is urging all candidates to finally speak up on women’s rights and gender equality.

Up for Debate, a national alliance of women’s rights and gender equality advocates, posted the short ad online Monday night, just as the six federal party leaders took to the stage for the English debate.

The alliance has also invited the Liberal, Conservative, New Democratic, Bloc and Green parties to participate in a separate televised debate on women’s rights and gender equality. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Party leader Elizabeth May have committed to participate. Up for Debate has not yet received a firm commitment from the Bloc Quebecois, the Conservatives or the Liberals.

“It’s been 35 years since federal party leaders debated women’s rights and gender equality,” states the ad, referring to the 1984 federal leaders’ debate on women’s issues.

“We are done waiting. If all party leaders won’t commit to a debate, we will demand answers.”

In the ad, the alliance is asking each leader to state how they will:

• End gender inequality in Canada
• Provide affordable housing and child care options
• Protect and promote sexual and reproductive rights
• End violence against Indigenous women, girls and TwoSpirit people

“If elected as the next prime minister,” states the ad, “how will you support women’s rights and gender equality?”

Media contact: Lucy Scholey, Amnesty International Canada (English), 613-744-7667 ext. 236, lscholey@amnesty.ca