International Women’s Day – March 8, 2023

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International Women’s Day – March 8, 2023

On Wednesday, March 8, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a global day to celebrate and uplift the powerful women around us and advance gender equality. It is an opportunity to commemorate the achievements of women, and those who identify as a woman, socially, economically, and culturally.

International Women’s Day dates back to the early twentieth century. The day originated when activities of labour movements within North America and Europe began to reflect a growing call for women’s equal participation in society. Since then, the occasion is a chance to observe women’s achievements and initiate meaningful improvement towards the acceleration of gender parity.

While there has been progress in some areas, the unfortunate reality is that women collectively face more daily challenges in aspects like education, politics, health care, and economics. These obstacles can be compounded for folks from Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous, and other groups often overlooked. It is critical that more progress is made to reach gender equality to ensure a sustainable future for people of all identities and backgrounds.

The theme for 2023 is #EmbraceEquity, which urges us to discuss why equal opportunities are not enough. It is important to understand that people begin from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action. With this theme in mind, we must acknowledge that equity is not just nice to have, but a necessity.

At HWDSB, we can #EmbraceEquity by challenging gender stereotypes, calling out discrimination, drawing attention to bias, and seeking out inclusion. Our These steps are critical for women’s social, economic, cultural, and political advancements.

We encourage everyone to use today as an opportunity to pause and celebrate the achievements and successes of women both locally and internationally. Let us also raise awareness of the struggles women continue to experience, and how we can #EmbraceEquity to help drive success for all.