FEWO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met at 11:08 a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Hedy Fry, presiding.

Anita Neville moved, — That the Agency of Status of Women provide the Standing Committee on the Status of Women:

1) With a list of those projects that have been approved since February 2006 to date;

2) With the differing sets of criteria used to evaluate proposals for funding by the Status of Women since February 2006;

3) And the number of projects rejected for funding since February 2006.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

Nicole Demers moved, — That the Standing Committee on the Status of Women call upon the government to denounce the excommunication, approved by the Vatican, of the nine-year-old Brazilian girl who had to undergo an abortion after being raped by her stepfather.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

Nicole Demers moved, — Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), that the following be reported to the House at the first opportunity:

That the Standing Committee on the Status of Women call upon the government to say what measures it plans to take if President Karzai refuses to repeal the legislation violating the rights of women in Afghanistan.

Irene Mathyssen moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “what measures it plans to take” with the words “that it will take measures”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the amendment was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), that the following be reported to the House at the first opportunity:

That the Standing Committee on the Status of Women call upon the government to say that it will take measures if President Karzai refuses to repeal the legislation violating the rights of women in Afghanistan.

Cathy McLeod moved, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the following be reported to the House at the first opportunity:

That the Standing Committee on the Status of Women support the government in its efforts to continue to press the Afghan government to meet its commitment to review the legislation violating the rights of women in Afghanistan in order to uphold their international human rights commitments.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

At 12:32 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:40 p.m., the sitting resumed.

At 12:46 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:46 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

The Committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

At 1:00 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.