This year's celebrations of International Women's Week, set to kick-off March 3, will focus on "Working in Solidarity: Women, Human Rights, and Peace."

"This theme recognizes the influence and the crucial role played by women in conflict resolution, peace negotiations and seeking social justice on the local, regional, national and international scenes," said Benoit Robillard, communications officer for Status of Women Canada.

The theme deliberately draws attention to the tragic events of Sept. 11 and the situation of Afghan women. "Several individuals and women's organizations are becoming increasingly interested in the role of women in conflict resolution and peace negotiations," Robillard said. Both the National Action Committee on the Status of Women and the Fédération nationale des femmes canadiennes-française strongly condemned the U.S.-led war against Afghanistan.

Canadian women academics have played prominent roles in national and international debates about conflict resolution and peace building but are still fighting for recognition within the university community itself. The latest figures published by CAUT demonstrate that although women form a slight majority at the bottom of the academic totem pole, they dwindle down to a meager minority at the top.

A calendar of events for International Women's Week, culminating with International Women's Day on March 8, is available at the Status of Women Canada web site www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/iwd.