International Women's Day 2018

Today (March 8th) is International Women's Day -- A global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity - a detailed background of this day can be viewed here

This year's world theme for International Women Day 2018 is Press for Progress.  Canada's 2018 International Women Day's theme is #MyFeminism.  More details about International Women's Day in Canada here

From a local government perspective - there are many women I have tremendous respect for, whether serving in an elected or staff position who do tremendous work in serving the public.

For those serving at a Staff level - the elected officials often do not thank them for the work they do behind the scenes, in my humble opinion.  For the work they do, I am forever grateful and words are never enough to express how much I, as one individual, am deeply appreciative, serving both the general public and the elected officials

At the elected level - there are many female local elected officials whom I hold in very high regard and often talk with for advice including local Cariboo Regional District Directors Joan Sorley and Margo Wagner.  Director Margo Wagner, of course, is our new Board Chair and is only the 2nd or 3rd female CRD Chair in the last 50 years that the Cariboo Regional District has existed.  I consider her to be a mentor and I'm personally pleased that she is Chair

On the CRD Board - there are 4 women on the Board of the 16 seats available or 20% of all seats available which is below gender parity of 50% or even the United Nations standard of a minimum of 33% of elected positions be female.  The closest the CRD Board came to the UN Standard was the 2011-14 Board where 6 of the 16 CRD Directors were female or 37.5% of all 16 seats were held by females.  The 2018-22 CRD Board can make gains on having more females on the Board

I look forward to the day when society treats females on the exact same level as men, whether on the basis of salary, positions, etc ... To do so is the right thing to do!

~SF