Women needed in leadership roles

“We recognize we need more women at the table. We want to encourage more women to start businesses. So, I think it has really allowed us to create that culture, that it’s ok to talk about it,” she said.

Priske said a change that needs to happen with businesses is more women need to be in leadership and decision-making roles. Giving women a stronger voice will help lead to better gender equity policies, not just for women but for men as well, she said.

“We do bring a different perspective. We do know that companies do better when they have more women on their board making decisions. So, I think that’s what we need to continue to do – to make sure that there is that equality, that women are not being passed over for promotions, that they’re getting the mentorship that they need (and) that sponsorship with the company to really help them better grow.”

An organization that has seen an unexpected increase in donations is P.E.I. Family Violence Prevention Services Inc., a nongovernmental organization that runs Anderson House, one of two emergency shelters for women and children on the Island.

Dayna O’Malley, executive director, said the organization receives provincial funding but is also required to raise $160,000 annually through fundraising and donations.

This year, she said that goal was reached much easier with a rise in new donors holding small fundraising events for Anderson House.

O’Malley doesn’t have proof, but she believes the rise in donations is due to the #MeToo movement.

“It must, at least in some respect, because there is an awful lot happening around that,” she said.

“The light is coming on for a lot of people. And that, translating into action, is really key because that’s what social causes really struggle with – how do you move from awareness to action. So, everybody knowing about something doesn’t really create change. It’s the first step to change, but you need to move beyond that. So, raising money to foster frontline services or support organizations who rely on this support in order to stay open, it’s fantastic. We rely on these donations.”

In terms of International Women’s Day, she said it should be seen as a positive day to celebrate women.

With Family Violence Prevention Week and International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, there are a lot of days to remind people about the terrible things that still happen to women, O’Malley added.

“It feels nice to have a reason to celebrate as well.”