International Women’s Day is March 8, an opportunity to reflect on the progress made towards achieving gender equality and celebrate the acts of courage and determination by individuals who have played an extraordinary role in advancing gender equality in their communities. The beginnings of International Women's Day (IWD) trace back to the early twentieth century, emerging from the activities of labour movements in North America and Europe and reflecting a growing call for women to participate equally in society.
The first International Women's Day was observed on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. That day, more than one million women and men showed their support by participating in public events. In the years that followed, other countries began to observe and celebrate this day.
The United Nations recognized 1975 as International Women's Year and began celebrating IWD on March 8, later adopting a resolution designating March 8 as International Women's Day.
Today, International Women's Day, a day of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action, is celebrated in countries around the world.
From Canada's Prime Minister on this day:
“Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the accomplishments and leadership of women in Canada and around the world, and recommit ourselves to moving forward to a future in which everyone has an equal chance to succeed.
“We all have women in our lives who inspire us every day. This year’s theme, Because Of You, honours those who have paved the way. In particular, we celebrate Canadian women leaders who challenge norms, lift up other women and girls, and change our country for the better.
“Among those women leaders, we have Dr. Alaa Murabit. She is a Canadian-Libyan physician and UN High-Level Commissioner recognized globally for her work in security, health policy, and sustainable development.
“Ann Divine, who immigrated to Canada in 2004, is an advocate for Black and immigrant business women. A former probation officer and human rights worker, she is the founder and CEO of a Halifax company that provides leadership, networking, and diversity training to people and organizations.
“Kathryn Foss is a transgender woman, speaker, and retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces. Major (Ret’d) Foss has helped promote diversity and establish policy on transgender inclusion within our armed forces, notably as the founder of the Defence Team Pride Network.
“Along with so many others in Canada and around the world, these three gender equality trailblazers are among those highlighted this year. They show how the actions, big and small, of just one person can drive positive change. They motivate us to continue to break down barriers.
“Gender equality is at the heart of everything we do as a government, both at home and abroad. That is why we have strengthened and increased the use of Gender-based Analysis Plus. We know how important it is to think intersectionally about public policy and decision-making. We laid the groundwork to close the gender wage gap, and promote equality by creating more flexible parental leave and introducing proactive pay equity legislation for federally regulated workers. We also invested in women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations, to advance equality and tackle barriers experienced by women across the country.
“Internationally, we made historic investments in girls’ education and women’s rights around the world, and, in June 2019, we announced funding to mobilize resources for women’s rights organizations and movements in developing countries.
“In our homes, in our communities, and in our workplaces, everyone has a role to play to make real and lasting gender equality a reality. None of us can move forward if half of us are held back. I encourage all Canadians to celebrate women’s achievements, and to keep pushing for progress so we can all reach our full potential.”
While BC Premier John Horgan & Mitzi Dean - Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity said the following on International Women's Day 2020:
“On International Women’s Day, we honour and celebrate the many women, girls, non-binary and two-spirit people in B.C. who are changing our province for the better. From well-known public figures to young activists, to those working quietly behind the scenes, they are standing up for equality. We stand with them.
“No one deserves to be held back by their gender, their ethnicity or other parts of their identity.
“From day one, our government has taken steps to address discrimination. These include major investments in affordable child care, which will create more opportunities for women to join the workforce or advance their careers. This addresses one of the major factors in the gender pay gap. We’re also creating bursaries and increasing wages for early childhood education workers, most of whom are women.
“We are supporting women and other marginalized groups who face family-law issues, domestic and sexual violence, and poverty by improving access to legal aid and dispute resolution services. When passed, a new law giving survivors of sexual and domestic violence paid leave from work will give women the time they need to access justice and leave their abusers behind. And, as we move forward with the first major investments in transition homes for women and children leaving violence, more women and their children will have a safe place to go when they need one.
“To bring down barriers for women in trades, we’ve created the Community Benefits Agreement for major projects that prioritizes hiring and training women, Indigenous peoples and others who traditionally have been shut out of these jobs.
“While we have taken meaningful strides in British Columbia, there is still much more to do to achieve gender equity. Working alongside community partners, we aim to build a brighter future, where no one is left behind because of who they are.”
Finally - in the Cariboo Regional District: Of our 16 Board Members, 6 are female including our Board Chair, Margo Wagner who is only the 3rd Women, in our 52 Year History, to be in that role and she does a great job at it. I am pleased to report that among the 12 Area Directors, 6 are female so we can celebrate the fact that we have Gender Parity among the elected Directors and still strive towards Gender Parity for our 16 member Board.
Also, 85 of the Regional District's 116 staff are female. Thank you to you for all of the great work you do behind the scenes. It does not go unnoticed!! :)
The Area D Alternate Director is Phyllis Webstad and she does a great job at the Cariboo Regional District Board table in my absence. She has served in this role since December 2014 and we often chat about Area D issues monthly or every two months and I appreciate her wisdom and feedback. Also proud of the work she does in connection with the local Orange Shirt Society, whether here or across Canada. Keep it up, Phyllis!!!
To my female colleagues at the Cariboo Regional District and on the NCLGA Board - it is an honour and pleasure to work with you all!
SF
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