• To promote the equality of women in PEI through feminist analysis and practice.
• To provide a forum for the voices of women in PEI.
• To provide opportunities for women to realize power, knowledge, skills, abilities, visions and financial security.
• To empower women through the recognition of women's achievements and potential, and through listening to women's voices.

Exploring Options for Developing a Birth Centre/Women’s Health Co-op in Prince Edward Island
BORN (Birth Options Research Network), a volunteer group dedicated to promoting women’s choices in birthing services has partnered with Women’s Network PEI to study the feasibility of starting a midwifery co-op for Prince Edward Island. Funding received from the Co-operatives Development Initiative, through Co-operatives Secretariat will help to produce a feasibility assessment, viability study, and a business plan for a Birth Centre/Women’s Health Co-operative. The project will also create recommendations for proceeding with the co-op formation based on best practices and market research, and form the co-op to begin promoting and providing midwifery services in PEI.

Improving Parental Benefits for Canadians
This initiative will address the issue of women’s economic autonomy. It will build on our original research of the current parental benefits legislation and our extensive consultation process. In this initiative, we will use our final recommendations to communicate potential public policy changes.

Creating Safer Communities for Women with Disabilities, Phase II
The three partner organizations will build on the knowledge and information gained from the one day symposium, Crime Prevention for Women with Disabilities, held November 3, 2001. The Strategic Plan that is being developed will be the blue print for the work that will role out during this project. Now that we have a grasp of what is already happening to support women with disabilities, we need to fill in the gaps of those resources that are missing and bring them to the table. Building on the work done at the one day symposium, the Coordinator will work with the Partners and Advisory Committee to develop the recommendations brought forth in the Strategic Plan that will reduce the victimization and violence against women with disabilities. Mobilizing community leaders and groups to affect change in our province will be the focus.

DAME (Developing Actions Through Meaningful Employment) Phase III
This initiative will aim to address some of the current inequities in the employment of women on PEI. Dame Phase II is seen as being able to move some of the research recommendations forward by continuing policy dialogue with HRDC, introducing women in their communities to community economic development through a "Power Group" approach, and working with employers to better understand women's needs in the workplace through Gender-Based Analysis workshops.

PEI Women's Coalition Family Law Legal Aid for Women on PEI, Phase IV
The Women's Coalition of PEI, in partnership with relevant experts, will move the Phase I strategic plan forward in order to create and present new policies for legislative changes which will allow Family Law Legal Aid on PEI.

Looking Beyond the Surface: An In-Depth Review of Parental Benefits, Phase II
This initiative will address the issue of women's economic autonomy by building on the original research reflective of the current parental benefits legislation. The research conducted in the first phase of this project shows that even though these positive changes are appreciated by some women and their families, it is a benefit not equally accessible to all women and their families. For example, this policy is not equitable for women with non-standard word arrangements including women with low incomes, women working seasonal jobs, women who are employed part-time or underemployed, women with temporary jobs, women who hold more than one job, and women who do contract work and cannot contribute to Employment Insurance, and teen mothers, to name a few.

Youth-Led Sexual Health Policy on PEI
This project continues on the successes of our past Youth Sexual Health projects: PEI Caucus on Youth and Sexual Health, the PEI Caucus on Youth Sexual Health, Phase II and the Positive Approaches to Youth Sexual Health. The aim of this project is to develop youth leadership skills through a training program. This program will give youth the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to have a voice in influencing changes to public policy, in particular, changes that address the inequities that affect their sexual health. Youth will also be given opportunities to use their leadership skills through an Atlantic conference on youth sexual health, meetings with policy audiences, and as members of various committees.

Youth Healthy Sexuality and Safety in Atlantic Canada
The goal of this project is to share ideas and information on ways to prevent sexual exploitation and victimization. This exchange of information will be highlighted during an Atlantic conference with participants representing youth, parents, policy-makers, and professionals. The planning and facilitation of the conference will be done by youth with support from professionals. The conference agenda will lead into a Chocolate House where humor, music and chocolate will be used to create a positive environment to talk about sexuality with youth.

Resource Centre: We have a collection of current magazines such as Herizons, Fireweed, as well as a lending library of fiction and non-fiction.

Volunteering: The Board of Directors offers support to our projects include the support of, or are operated by volunteers.

mailing address:
P.O. Box 233,
Charlottetown, PEI C1A 7K4

phone: (902) 368-5040
fax: (902) 368-5039
e-mail: wnpei@wnpei.org