Too soon for ‘G6 plus one’ approach on gender equality talks: Maryam Monsef

But achieving consensus on these recommendations could prove difficult, since President Donald Trump signed an executive order early in his term reinstating a so-called global gag rule on abortion, which forbids organizations getting U.S. funding from supporting or providing access to abortion.

To date, Canada has approached its G7 presidency with an aim to achieve consensus among all seven countries, including using strategic language on policies and initiatives that tread too closely into areas of potential division, such as climate change and sexual and reproductive rights, says Shaughn McArthur, advocacy and government relations adviser for the international humanitarian organization CARE Canada.

This is a missed opportunity to come out with a strong message on issues that most G7 countries and Canada as host have already identified as key priorities. That’s why some advocates and partners believe a “G6 plus one” approach on those issues, bypassing U.S. objections, may be the best way to get the most comprehensive outcomes, McArthur said.

“At a certain point we need to be able to put our foot down … to be able to say, ‘Most G7 partners agreed this is what we need to do and one or two may have had some reservations.’ I think there’s no excuse, particularly at this stage, for not putting in writing what we know to be the issues that need to be addressed by this G7.”

“I think it’s too soon for that,” Monsef said in response.

She said Canada will always stand up for a woman’s right to choose, both in Canada and in international humanitarian efforts — a position that will be its starting point going into the talks, which begin Friday.

But she suggested the focus will be more on trying to keep an open dialogue among all G7 countries on gender issues. She also characterized the report of the gender equality advisory council “ambitious,” and said efforts to improve access to reproductive and sexual health services and rights can always continue at home.

Meanwhile, women’s rights advocates and stakeholders also worry that trade tensions with the U.S. threaten to overshadow or sideline the gender equality agenda at the G7 talks.

“This is a legacy moment for this government and I think at a certain point we have to decide that trade is one issue for discussion there and there may be disagreements there and we can certainly speak to those, but sexual reproductive rights and climate change are another issue where most G7 partners are more or less in agreement and we need to have robust discussions there as well,” McArthur said.

But Monsef says she is confident Canada’s commitment to women’s equality will remain a strong focus of the discussions and that consensus on key actions is within reach.

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Teresa Wright, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Too soon for ‘G6 plus one’ approach on gender equality talks: Maryam Monsef

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