On December 10, 2008, International Human Rights Day, Family Law Education for Women (FLEW) will unveil a public education campaign called “All Women. One Family Law” to ensure that Ontario women know their legal rights under Ontario family law. FLEW is a public legal education project funded by the Ontario government to develop materials that will inform women’s decisions about family law issues.

“Many women know nothing about their basic legal rights. Often, women begin their process through family court with no information about the relevant laws. The FLEW project means that these women will have access to accurate, easy to understand legal information and will be in a better position to make informed choices for themselves and their children”, said Lisa Cirillo, Legal and Project Coordinator of FLEW.

“The Family Law Education for Women campaign is unique in Ontario. It builds on Ontario’s commitment to protect and support vulnerable women in our province” said Deb Matthews, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. “There is one family law for all Ontarians and women deserve to know their legal rights so they can fully benefit from the law and make informed decisions.”

A primary focus is reaching women who may be vulnerable and isolated due to recent immigration, language, disability, or other factors limiting access. The campaign materials feature pictures of women which reflect the diversity of women and their experiences, but the text calls to mind that no matter what you look like, what you believe, where you live, how many children you have, your age or income, there is one family law for all women in Ontario. The campaign includes posters, leaflets, legal information booklets and a website: www.onefamilylaw.ca www.undroitdefamille.ca.

Plain language information booklets have been developed in 12 areas: alternative dispute resolution, child protection, child support, criminal and family law, child custody and access, domestic contracts, family law arbitration, family law issues for immigrant, refugee and non-status women, finding help with your family law problem, how property is divided in family law, marriage and divorce, and spousal support. The booklets are available in 11 languages; English, French, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Farsi, Somali, Spanish, Punjabi, Urdu and Tamil. They are also available in large print, Braille, audio CDs and DVDs in American Sign Language. Additional materials have been developed for Aboriginal women, Francophone women, Jewish women, Muslim women, Christian women and immigrant domestic caregivers.

“All Women. One Family Law.’ goes hand in hand with our efforts to reform family justice to better protect women and children. I applaud FLEW’s efforts to reach out to those who are particularly vulnerable to ensure they have access to the resources they need,” said Attorney General Chris Bentley.

The resource kits with materials, designed by the communications company Costa LeClerc Design Inc, will be distributed throughout Ontario in the coming weeks. They will be delivered to women’s shelters, community health care centres, newcomer information centres and language classes, family resource centres, legal aid offices and clinics, friendship centres and many more community agencies. The next phase of the campaign will roll out over the next few months and includes ads, public service announcements for radio, out of home ads on benches and billboards.

All Women. One Family Law materials can also be ordered or downloaded and printed on the campaign website: www.onefamilylaw.ca or www.undroitdefamille.ca.