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ETFO condemns possible execution of Iranian woman

Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario News Release ******************* TORONTO- While adding its voice to those condemning Iran's planned stoning and execution of an Iranian woman for alleged adultery, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Onta
Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario
News Release

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TORONTO- While adding its voice to those condemning Iran's planned stoning and execution of an Iranian woman for alleged adultery, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) says the incident is a tough reminder that protecting women's rights and freedoms requires constant role modelling, particularly for children.

"While pressuring Iran over the case of Sakineh Ashtiani as well as areas like the Congo where women are being brutally raped and treated as chattels of war, we also need to keep establishing positive role modelling for women's rights at home," said ETFO President Sam Hammond. "We're fortunate that we live in a society where we can teach children and young adults what it means to have citizens' rights both locally and globally regardless of gender."

"Of course incidents like this affect children, both those born here and those who have come from countries like Iran where women are struggling for equality," added Hammond. "As teachers, our job is to build self-esteem and confidence among children and make them aware of their rights and responsibilities to one another."

The ETFO has developed numerous courses, forums, studies and resource materials on issues including violence against women, erasing prejudice, the roots of equality and stopping woman abuse, to assist teachers in the classroom and in communities, according to Hammond. "When women are abused, we see the effects on children in our classrooms. Children come to school full of anxiety or exhibiting other behavioural problems and we need to work to prevent that."

"As role models, teachers have the ability not only to influence and change how children view gender equality, but to join others in modelling appropriate behaviour within their professional ranks," adds Hammond. "Seeing the injustice of Sakineh and others, we all have a global responsibility to each other to speak out."

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers and education workers across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.

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