MMIWG: International Women’s Day

March 08, 2019

Today, on International Women’s Day, people around the globe are coming together to celebrate the accomplishments of women and to advocate for a more equitable world. The goal of this day, which has been recognized since 1911, is one we share: working to improve the social, economic, cultural and political status of women.

This year, International Women’s Day focusses on a call to action to build a gender-balanced world. True gender balance and equality can only be achieved by first ensuring the safety and security of all women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The World Health Organization reports that 35 per cent of women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Here in Canada, Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be subjected to violence than non-Indigenous women, and that is only the violence that is reported.

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has spent many months hearing about lives shattered and lost by violence. Thousands of Indigenous women and girls — mothers, aunties, sisters, nieces — are gone. Their dreams, talents and ambitions will never be realized, and that is a tremendous loss to all of us.

It is clear, transformational change is needed in our country. While we cannot change the past, we can work together to shape a better future. Join us in committing to accelerating a gender equitable society. Let today be the first day of tomorrow’s Canada.

NT5