Constitutionalizing Women's Equality Rights: There is Always Room For Improvement
Keywords:
constitutional law, gender rights, equality rights, Charter of Rights and FreedomsAbstract
Abstract
This article recommends six improvements in regard to women’s equality rights in Canadian constitutionalism. They are: 1) detail the harms; 2) advocate women’s equality; 3) delete formal equality; 4) make equality absolute; 5) stop comparing women; and 6) recognize intersectionality. Some of these recommendations are directed to legislators; others to judges. It is premature for women to celebrate. Canada’s constitutional guarantees of women’s equality rights are inadequate to the task of protecting us.
Résumé
Cet article recommande six améliorations en ce qui concerne les droits à l’égalité des femmes dans le constitutionnalisme canadien. Il s’agit des suivantes : 1) préciser les préjudices; 2) prôner l’égalité des femmes; 3) supprimer l’égalité formelle; 4) rendre l’égalité absolue; 5) cesser de comparer les femmes; et 6) reconnaître l’intersectionnalité. Certaines de ces recommandations s’adressent aux législateurs; d’autres aux juges. Il est trop tôt encore pour crier victoire. Les garanties constitutionnelles des droits à l’égalité des femmes au Canada sont insuffisantes pour nous protéger.
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References
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