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WOMEN’S DAY 2021...p
The theme of International Women’s Day 2021 is “Choose to Challenge.”
“A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge,” the IWD site urges.
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Choose to Challenge: what a great statement – what an important idea!
The mission statement for Ontario’s Office of Women’s Issues is “promoting women’s economic independence while fighting against genderbased violence, sexual exploitation and abuse.” The two elements of Ontario’s women’s mission are inextricably linked: economic independence makes it possible for women to escape exploitive situations (or preferably, avoid ever falling into one). While we have made tremendous progress in many of these areas, we acknowledge there remains much work yet to be done.
I choose to challenge my colleagues and our government to do even better for women and girls, now and in the years ahead.
I am very proud to say that here in EtobicokeLakeshore, we are surrounded by and benefit from an amazing community who bring these words to life every single day, choosing to challenge in the business sphere.
Women like Marta Pozniakowski, at Namaste Espresso Bar and a “REMAX Realtor” for Alderwood; Karen Lai, President and Founder at KPM Power; Landai Truong, Owner, Lan Dai Nails &; Spa; and Cyndi Bodanis at Our Walk iN Closet Inc.
These businesswomen have risen to the challenge of running a business during COVID-19 and continue to contribute to our community. Ontario is supporting them, and others like them, in every way we can.
Others are choosing to challenge in the realm of service and support. These include Susan Carbone, Event and Fundraising Director at Haven on the Queensway; Keddone Dias, Executive Director and Jasmin Dooh, Health Promoter Community Relations Specialist at the LAMP Community Health Centre, Lara Root, Chair at the Jean Tweed Centre; Carla Neto, Community Programs Manager at Woman’s Habitat: Shelter and Outreach for Women; Maria Barcelos, Executive Director at The Gatehouse; Jean Augustine, President at Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment and Diane Dupuy, Founder and President, Famous People Players to name a few.
There are so many generous and diligent women and men, rising to the challenge of making our community a better place every day, I am sorry I cannot list them all here. But we are proud of and appreciate all of you, and are working to support you during these difficult times.
As we prepare for Women’s Day on March 8th, I am proud to highlight that on February 22nd, Ontario announced new legislation, the Combatting Human Trafficking Act. This proposed legislation reinforces Ontario’s commitment to fight human trafficking and demonstrates continued leadership in responding to this pervasive crime.
From the earliest days of my own career, I “chose to challenge” and was the first woman Executive Director of my Party. I know what a challenging grind it can be to blaze new trails; fortunately, I also know how wonderful and helpful it is to have a fully supportive spouse cheering me on, every step of the way. Together, we work as a team, which is the reality I wish for every woman, every man, and every family in Ontario.
I hope you and your family get to enjoy a wonderful Women’s Day, celebrating all those who fought for us in the past, and the next generation of “challengers” growing up now.
Stay safe, Christine
CHRISTINE HOGARTH
MPP ETOBICOKE - LAKESHORE
