March 8, 2024
Statement from Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equity, on the Occasion of International Women’s Day
As minister responsible for women and gender equity, I am honoured to join women and girls here in Manitoba, and across the world to celebrate International Women’s Day today.
International Women’s Day is a global movement where women and girls lift each other up, celebrate our achievements, and empower one another. It is also a day to recognize how patriarchy, and misogyny continue to harm women and girls. Our world is facing devastating levels of global unrest, political instability and armed conflict. From the Congo, Haiti, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Gaza and more, women and girls are bearing the brunt of these conflicts.
Today, we join the chorus of international voices calling out the atrocity of sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls in Gaza, and women and girls in Israel. There are countless ways we are still struggling against patriarchy. And yet, we continue to put our faith in the undeniable will of women and girls and the incredible courage they show in rebuilding their families, communities, and nations.
On this International Women’s Day, I want to encourage all women and girls to live up to the potential your ancestors gave you, speak your truth loudly, and never shrink yourself to make men comfortable. Today and every day, women and girls will be the ones to heal the world.
Happy International Women’s Day!
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