YWCA St. John's in the News: Where is gender on the agenda in the N.L. provincial election?

Article written by Rhea Rollmann | September 27, 2025

Link to full article (The Independent): Where is gender on the agenda in the N.L. provincial election?

Quotes in article from our Executive Director, Maria Gentle:

“The challenge is that when we speak to gender equity, especially in this climate, it makes it sound like it’s a special interest problem,” Gentle says. “We know the returns on gender equity and on equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. Social good is more than the bottom line, right? It really does give you a return.”

“But in times when there’s a national conversation on austerity, it’s really hard for the conversation on gender equity to come to the fore,” she continues. “So what we’re trying to do with our surveys and reaching out to candidates is to let them know these issues do [have an] impact. When we address poverty, when we address gender equity, when we address childcare, that impacts everyone and makes our communities safer. That’s what makes communities thrive and that impacts everybody.”