OTTAWA — Ahead of International Women’s Day, the Supreme Court of Canada has issued a pivotal ruling that excluding asylum-seekers from subsidized childcare is a form of discrimination against women.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes this decision. The ruling removes a significant barrier that prevented women seeking asylum from entering the workforce. This is especially important for single mothers, who often face the greatest challenges in finding affordable care.
With this decision, the Court has recognized that access to childcare is not just a family issue, but a vital part of a woman’s right to economic independence and dignity.
For more information, please contact:
Levon Sevunts, sevunts@unhcr.org, +1-613-286-6975
