1,720,986 research outputs found
A world not for me: an analysis of the Ontario Accessibility policy
No full textThroughout history, individuals with disabilities have been discriminated against and even abused due to their perceived deficiencies. Recognizing this discrimination, many countries and organizations including Canada, the United States, and the United Nations have created policies aimed at preventing discrimination against individuals with disability. However,
'disability' can be defined in many different ways, with the way in which disability is defined effecting the development and implementation of policies. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) was the first provincial accessibility legislation created in Canada. As such it can be used as a model for the creation of other provincial acts. This thesis examines if the AODA, at least theoretically, illustrates the social model of critical disability theory framework and if it adequately addresses the barriers to accessibility. Given that the disability model used by policy makers affects the development and implementation of that policy, it is essential to analyse the AODA in order to determine the model of disability used. This thesis argues that the AODA uses the medical model definition of disability. The medical model, as a
result of its individualist focus, prevents the AODA from creating accessibility standards that align with their goals which aim to remove barriers to accessibility as described by the social model of disability
Saved by grace: toward an interdisciplinary understanding of the White Savior Complex through the lenses of race and gender
No full textColonial powers rationalized the expansion of their empires in part through the trope of "white saviourism"—the obligation of Europeans to civilize the "native savages" in newly discovered territories. This thesis offers an analysis into how the White Savior Complex is found in today's contemporary moment. Using post-colonial theory and post-colonial feminist theory, I explore three different examples of encounters between "first world" and "third world" peoples: the period of colonial empire, models of international development in the post-WWII context, and the current voluntourism industry. I find that all offer unique opportunities for "first world" people to perform "white saviorism" and have a sense of the "heroic self." I argue that the White Savior Complex is an example of a "colonial continuity" which has survived the demise of colonialism and is restated in contemporary international development theory and practice, and is a foundational principle/pillar/marketing strategy of the voluntourism industry
The take-away: a gender-based assessment of the NS Liberal Government's public sector policy change
No full textThe objective of this thesis was to examine how the Nova Scotia Liberal Government's economic and labour policies undervalue work traditionally done by women through the Government's treatment of public sector unions. Since the Liberal Government came into power in 2013, they governed on a mandate that
prioritized balanced budgets, and have passed legislation that either limited the ability for workers to strike—for example, by deeming them essential—or by curtailing their bargaining power by placing a cap on wage increases.
In order to determine the impact of the NS Government's economic and labour policies, this thesis examined three case studies. The first being Bill 37, or the "Essential Health and Community Services Act." The second case analyzed Bill 148, the "Public Services Sustainability Act," and the third and final case study analyzed an amendment made by the McNeil Government to an Act titled the "Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act."
In reviewing these case studies, I have found that a gender-based analysis of economic and labour policy is necessary. Because even when the impacts are inadvertent, without focusing on the gendered impact of policy, governments run the risk of negatively affecting women. And without critically examining the priorities of government—such as the need to balance budgets by cutting the public sector—we may inadvertently uphold patriarchal structures of the political economy
Along the continuum: The complexities of humanitarian aid in weak and failed states
No full textHumanitarian emergencies throughout the world call for an international response, but the growing prevalence of failed and weak states complicated and inhibits the international response to such emergencies. This thesis analyzes complex humanitarian emergencies in two different states, one representing a failed state and one, a weak state. Somalia continues to be a failed state and has suffered two famines in its recent history. Post-genocidal Rwanda was not only a weak state, but one that saw the emergence of humanitarian crises in the form of a massive refugee and internally displaced person problem. Through an analysis of both these cases is becomes clear that weak states are far more conducive to humanitarian efforts due to specific characteristics of the state which they embody. These include a centralized governing authority, aspects of sovereignty and functioning police and judicial systems. However, this comparison also highlights the continuing importance of the state in today's world in direct regards to international humanitarian efforts. This thesis ultimately argues that the international aid community must adopt a new approach when faced with humanitarian emergencies in failed states. This new approach must look into long term goals of state-building to avoid the common escalation of humanitarian missions, in failed states, to military missions, which have dire consequences as seen in the case of Somalia
Perpetuating the Third World woman: A critical analysis of Oprah Winfrey and Nicholas Kristof
No full textThis thesis explores how the idea of development has been shaped by the ―experts‖ of the developed world and the implications of this discourse. It shows how women have been affected differently and how this difference paints women in a certain way. Drawing on Mohanty's understanding of Third World difference, this thesis shows how women in the Third World are seen as powerless objects rather than agents in their own lives. Academics, the media and politicians/activists have a tendency to portray women as the stereotypical image of the Third World woman. This thesis looks at the works of Oprah Winfrey and Nicholas Kristof and how they also perpetuate the disempowering discourse. The conclusion addresses a different way of considering the Third World woman
New U: A new path for the university in the 21st century
No full textThe purpose of this thesis is to understand the contemporary challenges facing the university, and its role in shaping communities and the production of culture. The history of the university, from the creation of the institution in the 12th century until the present, is reviewed with an emphasis on the evolution of pedagogy and the relationship of the university to broader society. Focusing on the university of today, this work examines the university's changing priorities, the idea of "excellence" as a guiding principle, and the experience of students, all relating to the university's role in the creation and dissemination of culture. It concludes with a discussion of critical pedagogy and the potential for its application in the university, arguing that building critical consciousness is vital in order for the university to fulfill its academic and social mission
Pari Passu in Canada: Involving more women in federal politics : a comparative study of Iceland and Canada
No full textThe research that underpins this thesis was motivated by an interest in whether women engaged in federal politics influences the introduction and passing of legislation that benefits women in society. I also argue that quotas may be successful in increasing the percentage of women represented in Canada's national House of Commons (HoC). It is important to focus on the Conservatives because they have the capacity to include more women in the HoC but currently do not, whereas the Liberal Party and NDP do. This is important for the upcoming 2015 federal election. As part of this discussion I include Argentina to show the effectiveness of political gender quotas on feminist legislation
Power, public pressure, and politics: insight into the Canadian public's role in the Iraq war and its security consequences
No full textThe Iraq War left the relationship between Canada and the United States politically strained. In order to understand why Canada decided to not join the War effort, my research examines what factor had the greatest effect on Canada's decision. Using secondary sources and public opinion polls, I argue that public opinion likely was the deciding factor that caused Jean Chrétien to keep Canada out of the Iraq War. Subsequently, this research examines how the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) relationship with the US military was affected by this decision. By interviewing senior CAF members who served from the 1980s through to the 2020s, I argue that the country's military relationship was unaffected by Chrétien's decision. Moreover, I show that CAF members did not feel the public pressure facing the Canadian government during the buildup to the Iraq War
Concealed victims: Analyzing the exclusion of men and boys from sexual violence policy
No full textThis thesis seeks to explore the implications of Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity on sexual violence policy. Given our preconceived notions of who can be a victim of sexual violence, policies have been created that target solely women and girls as victims. This is evident in United Nations Resolution 1325, policy drafted by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, as well as literature produced by leading Non-‐Governmental Organizations. The exclusion of men and boys from sexual violence policy, speaks broadly to the projected invulnerability of men associated with hegemonic masculinity. Despite the fact that male victims of sexual violence are rarely recognized, this thesis demonstrates that male sexual violence is occurring in a variety of different contexts and at rates higher than many are led to believe. As this thesis seeks to prove, men and boys are being excluded from the discourse and subsequent policy on sexual violence because male sexual violence is not performative of their gender. The goal of this analysis is not to deny that women are still the most common victims of sexual violence. However, drawing attention to male victims, will help produce policy that benefits victims of all genders and works to break down traditional gender stereotypes that see women and girls as perpetual victims and men and boys solely as aggressors
Women's empowerment as a goal in development: How the needs of donor agencies trump the needs of the world's women
No full textThe empowerment of women has become a popular goal in development. The ability of development organizations to empower women, however, has been impeded by a continued focus on measurement. Quantitative measurement of empowerment project results is a requirement for most organizations if they wish to receive funding. This kind of measurement has negative implications because it mistakenly focuses on universal outcomes and is unable to capture the process or its context-specific nature. This approach leads to reductionist measurement which can distort the original goal of women's empowerment. Organizations are too often forced to make fundability their first priority at the expense of a focus on women's empowerment. This dominant approach is illustrated by UNICEFs approach to operationalizing empowerment which involves a focus on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the measurable targets associated with them. The Green Belt Movement (GBM) in Kenya represents an alternative to the dominant approach of measuring women's empowerment, although recently, even the GBM has been forced to shift its path due to funding concerns. This paper explains how women's empowerment is being trumped by the conditions imposed by donor agencies
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