Tomorrow is International Women's Day; a day where we celebrate the achievements that women have made, and where we celebrate the progress that has been made by Canada and the world in terms of the recognition of the equality between men and women — however, it, too, is a day to recognize the continued progress that must be made to make men and women truly equal.
Here in Canada, we have made tremendous progress; not only are women's rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, continuing to be applied as new situations arise by the Supreme Court of Canada (the most gender-balanced high court in the world, being comprised of four women and five men) — but we even have persons appointed in our House of Commons to oversee the progress being made toward this end. The Honourable Beverley Oda, for this purpose, is our Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women.
However, as Canadians we have a responsibility to acknowledge the bad, even among the tremendous good; women continue to be subjected to violence and poverty at rates higher than their male counterparts, a situation which must be resolved. An acknowledgement, however, is only the beginning of a process; we must continue to act to ensure that women's rights are protected and strengthened.
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, the Governor General of Canada, addressed a message to the citizens of Canada in relation to this occasion; Her Excellency is the third woman to hold the highest-ranking position in Canada, other than that of Her Majesty the Queen of Canada — another indication of the progress made in recent decades.
Click here for the Web site of the Governor General of Canada.
Here in Canada, we have made tremendous progress; not only are women's rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, continuing to be applied as new situations arise by the Supreme Court of Canada (the most gender-balanced high court in the world, being comprised of four women and five men) — but we even have persons appointed in our House of Commons to oversee the progress being made toward this end. The Honourable Beverley Oda, for this purpose, is our Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women.
However, as Canadians we have a responsibility to acknowledge the bad, even among the tremendous good; women continue to be subjected to violence and poverty at rates higher than their male counterparts, a situation which must be resolved. An acknowledgement, however, is only the beginning of a process; we must continue to act to ensure that women's rights are protected and strengthened.
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, the Governor General of Canada, addressed a message to the citizens of Canada in relation to this occasion; Her Excellency is the third woman to hold the highest-ranking position in Canada, other than that of Her Majesty the Queen of Canada — another indication of the progress made in recent decades.
:?: SourcesHer Excellency the Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean said:
Click here for the Web site of the Governor General of Canada.