Women and Men
Introduction to the Spring 1983 issue of Connexions (#37)

Three years ago, CONNEXIONS published an issue on women. In today’s climate of economic and political retrenchment, the gains achieved by the Women’s Movement are in jeopardy. As our readers have suggested, there is a critical need at this time to re-affirm the strength and impact of our collective actions for a non-sexist society. In this edition of CONNEXIONS, readers will find listings of 73 individual and group efforts to address sexism.

There are many forces in contemporary Canadian society that reinforce sexism in public and private spheres of life, and which socialize our children into that system. Our economic system is based on competition, winners and losers, domination and submission. It has little respect for health and safety, full employment, the environment, or women's demands for equal participation. Our political system does not permit effective grassroots participation or influence. Our laws, our media, our education system and, too frequently, our churches and our unions support existing structures in favour of the status quo.

You will read in this edition of a variety of strategies that have evolved to challenge sexist structures and ideology. Publications offering alternative perspectives on personal, social, and political issues are now available in many Canadian cities (e.g. Kinesis, Hysteria). Women are taking control of their own health, by establishing health education collectives (e.g. Vancouver Women's Health Collective, Women’s Health Education Network), through publications (e.g. Healthsharing, Maternal Health News), by raising occupational health issues in their unions (e.g. Organized Working Women), and by lobbying for reform of Canada’s abortion laws (e.g. CARAL, OCAC). Women are entering non-traditional jobs; they have formed organizations for mutual support, education, and outreach to other women (e.g. Women in Trades). Lesbian mothers have formed action groups to challenge discriminatory child custody practices (e.g. Lesbian Mothers Defense Fund, Lesbian and Feminist Mothers Political Action Group). Women have organized to learn about, publicize, and fight the perpetuation of violence against women (e.g. Battered and Blamed, WAVAW, Media Watch). And, very importantly, arts and culture that express and celebrate new visions of a non-sexist world and flourishing (e.g. Womanspirit Art Research and Resource Centre, West Coast Women and Words Society, Centre for Feminist Culture).

Men too are organizing to better understand their history, their socialization, and the unequal power relationships that men have created both with women and among themselves. Except in the gay community (see Flaunting It!), the men’s movement is quite new in Canada, but there are some indications that it is gaining momentum (e.g. Men’s Child Care Collective, Vancouver Men Against Rape, Victoria Men’s Anti-Sexist Group). To support this movement, which we believe to be essential, we have broken with our usual practice and published an abstract of an American journal (M: gentle men for gender justice), that may assist men in their organizing efforts.

Through these efforts, we are developing not only an understanding of the factors that oppress us and reinforce sexism, but we are learning how to put into place alternative structures for living and working. We are replacing hierarchal and patriarchal structures with collectives, self-help groups, and community-based organizations. We are learning, often painfully, how to combine direct service with social action (e.g. transition houses, rape crisis centres). The links between social issues are becoming clearer to all of us – sexism, militarism and violence; sexism and imperialism; health, labour, and environmental issues. Through this growing understanding, our base for collective action is broadened, our relationships are strengthened, and our sense of support is enhanced.

Related Topics: Equality Issues – Gay/Lesbian Issues – Gender Issues – Media Coverage/Women – Men – Men’s Issues – Parenting – Patriarchy – Rural Women – Sexism – Sexual & Gender-Based Violence – Sexual Harassment – Violence against Women & Children – Women – Women in the Economy – Women's Issues – Women’s Movement – Women’s Rights – Working Women