The theme for International Women’s Day this year, #BeBoldForChange, reminds us that in order to achieve equity for women, we must act in ways that are courageous and bold. And, we must leave no women behind – not poor women, not racialized women, not women marginalized by different abilities or challenges, not women who are victimized or abused, not women in prisons or other institutions. None of us is free or equal until every woman is free! 

Women are the fastest-growing prison population world-wide.  This is not accidental.  Canada has been one of the first countries to be impacted by the now-globalized capitalist laws and policies that have brought about a virtual destruction of our social-safety nets – from social and health services to economic and education standards and availability. For example, by creating extremely low social assistance rates, the government has ensured that many poor people are relegated to a criminalized underclass.  In their efforts to survive, poor people are resorting to shoplifting, fraud, prostitution, drug trafficking, or whatever survival strategies they need to provide food for themselves and their families.

But let’s not just focus on what needs to stop! Let’s also remember to celebrate our resisters and revolutionary thinkers and doers. Let’s focus on the Indigenous women who have taken our federal government to the United Nations, forcing our government to look past the rhetoric of official reports into the realities of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, lack of adequate supports for health care, education and social services, and the reprehensible over-representation of Indigenous women and girls among those in our society who are marginalized, victimized, criminalized and institutionalized.

There are many youth, men and especially women who refuse to succumb, who every day continue the fight for women’s equality.  I want to end by celebrating all bold women worldwide!  Bravo and Happy International Women’s Day!

For more information:

Senator Kim Pate, C.M.
Kim.Pate@sen.parl.gc.ca
Tel: 613-995-9220