Gender equality remains a key issue
It is easy to jump to the conclusion that the women’s marches held around the world on Jan. 27 were solely in protest to the United States election. However, Jan. 27 was about so much more than that.
In fact, these protests were a proactive display of international movement committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. This far reaching global movement was successful in highlighting the incredible barriers women still face today.
In a show of solidarity, women united across the globe in places like the U.S., Iraq, Kenya, Japan, Australia, and Canada, including a small but mighty group of 15 women from Sandy Cove, a small town in Nova Scotia.
International Women’s Day will be celebrated March 8. The theme Canada has chosen is “Equality Matters.” Gender inequality and stereotypes hold everyone back economically and socially. Research shows that companies who have a higher percentage of women on their boards yield a 26 per cent higher return on their investment.
Men also play an important role in family life and are no longer just the “bread winner.” As women contribute financially, men must also contribute on a family level. It is a well known fact that a father’s increased involvement in his child’s life improves health and wellness while decreasing delinquency and economic disadvantage.
International Women’s Day is not just about women. Men must add their voices to the cause of gender equality in order to achieve efficient, effective, and lasting societal change. Recently, a sexual assault case in Alberta made global headlines. The judge acquitted the male accused and placed the prevention of the assault squarely on the female victim by asking her why she couldn’t just keep her knees together. The judge has blamed his comments on living in South Africa during the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, as well as having minimal knowledge of Alberta provincial law about sexual assaults. His pathetic excuses are an insult and proof that archaic stereotypes are alive and kicking in Canada. How often does this type of thinking negatively impact women and their families across Canada on a daily basis in every sector from law enforcement, to healthcare, to the work place?
The United Nations has dropped Canada’s ranking on its gender-inequality index to 25th place from its first-place ranking in 1995. It is clear that policy changes mandating equal representation of men and women in various roles is a good start. However, that is simply what it is, a start. What is needed more than ever is for men to add their voices to that of women. Men must not just passively support women with the cause, they must also march, protest, and demand better for all, regardless of gender.