Peter A. Allard School of Law Professor Janine Benedet, K.C. was announced today as a recipient of the 2024 Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case. The awards recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the goal of equality for women and girls in Canada.
Throughout her career, Professor Benedet’s research has focused on improving the criminal justice system’s response to sexual violence against women and girls – particularly those with mental disabilities. She regularly provides pro bono legal representation to women’s equality-seeking groups and has shared her expertise on matters of violence and discrimination against women as an expert witness in courts and before Parliament. Her work has been cited more than 100 times by courts at all levels.
“Almost every initiative in my career as an academic and a lawyer has been directed to using the law to improve the lives of women and girls, and it’s lovely to be recognized for that,” says Benedet. “I’m very grateful to the law school and my nominators for putting my name forward.”
The Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case were established in 1979 to commemorate the groundbreaking decision on October 18, 1929, to include women in the legal definition of “persons” by Canada’s then highest court of appeal.
The best feminist work is intergenerational and builds on what has come before.
In addition to her research and advocacy work, Benedet integrates her pro bono practice into her teaching at the Allard School of Law, providing opportunities for students to get involved in legal research in support of women’s and disability rights groups and to learn about written and oral advocacy. She advises students who want to continue this work to learn more about women’s legal history – both the accomplishments and past mistakes.
“The best feminist work is intergenerational and builds on what has come before,” says Benedet. “Don’t let others undermine your efforts by telling you that the fight for women is over or has already been won in Canada. There is still so much to be done.”
Currently, Benedet is preparing to defend Canada’s 2014 legal reforms that criminalized the purchase of sexual services and offered immunity to individuals who sell sexual services. “This legal model, which has come to be known as the Equality Model, is an essential recognition that women and girls – and Indigenous women and girls in particular – are not for sale,” she says. “This law is under attack,” adds Benedet, who in November will be representing groups intervening in a Supreme Court Case that questions the constitutionality of pimping-related charges.
When you’re part of a movement for women’s liberation made up of brilliant, brave, funny women, you can’t help but be encouraged.
Benedet will be presented the award by Governor General Mary Simon at a ceremony today in Calgary. “I admire her enormously, especially in speaking out about the online sexist and racist abuse that she has been subjected to, and its pervasiveness when women try to occupy public space or positions of prominence,” Benedet says, adding that she’s looking forward to meeting the Governor General in person.
“A lot of people tell me that they imagine that working in the area of men’s sexual violence against women is very dark and depressing,” says Benedet. “What keeps me going are the amazing connections I make with women doing front-line work in women’s groups and rape crisis centres. When you’re part of a movement for women’s liberation made up of brilliant, brave, funny women, you can’t help but be encouraged.”
