Mr. Speaker, International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, is the global day which connects women around the world and inspires them to achieve their full potential. International Women’s Day celebrates the collective power of women past, present and future.
The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on the 28th of February in 1909. It was the result of women’s oppression and inequality, which spurred women on to become vocal and active in campaigning for change. In 1908, for example, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
Fast-forward to 1977, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women’s rights and international peace. Following the United Nations’ lead, Canada declared March 8 as International Women’s Day in Canada. On that day we honour the advancement of women while remembering the need for continued vigilance and action to ensure that women’s equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life. On March 8 we celebrate the women in our lives and in our communities.
Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day this year is “Strong Women, Strong World.” The women in our communities have great strength. They are the caregivers, the educators and the healers. They are leaders and mothers of our leaders.
The N.W.T. theme for International Women’s Day is “The Importance of Traditional Knowledge.” And how important that knowledge is. It is our personal responsibility to listen to the words of wisdom that our mothers and grandmothers pass down to us. Someone said that when an elder passes away, it’s like watching a library burn. We must not lose the wealth of knowledge that our women elders have to share. In two weeks’ time, on March 8, talk to an elder or a wise woman in your community. We can learn lessons from these women that we cannot learn anywhere else. These lessons are not written down; they are oral traditions. They are the stories that teach us patience, tolerance and kindness, necessities in today’s sometimes intolerant world.
Mr. Speaker, on Friday, March 7, at noon here in the Great Hall, the Status of Women Council of the N.W.T. will hold their annual Bread ’n’ Roses Luncheon to mark International Women’s Day and to present the 2008 Wise Women Awards. Please attend and join in honouring the women of the North. When we empower women, we secure a brighter future for everyone. Thank you.
