Constitutionalism and policies toward women: Canada and the United States

Abstract

This essay examines policy toward women in Canada and the U.S. with an eye to the question of how much light comparative constitutionalism can shed on the differences or similarities in those policies. It first describes the many institutional contrasts that might lead one to expect sharp differences in policies in the two countries. It then details both numerous parallels in gender equity policy and a half dozen or so important contrasts, attempting to explain both the striking similarities and the occasional differences that are uncovered. © 2006 Oxford University Press.