Talk of the Town on International Women’s Day

Talk of the Town on International Women’s Day

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8. It is a day where people recognize the valuable contributions which women have made in the cultural, political and socio-economic areas around the world.

The theme for 2022 is: Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.

When I asked residents of Vegreville and area why they felt it was important to celebrate this day, I received the following replies.

Tracy Laschowski Semeniuk said International Women’s Day is a day to really reflect on all the inspiring women in our lives and beyond. “I think it is important to recognize the progress that has been made towards gender equality. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the many achievements that women made. It is also a good reminder to recognize that there is still work to be done in achieving gender equality. With that, work comes acknowledging some of our own gender bias and how we can work toward minimizing it in our everyday lives.

Rhonda Manz said she feels Women’s Day is important, not only to recognize the contributions women have made socially, economically, culturally, and politically, but also to highlight the lack of inequality women still face.

“It seems wrong to still be talking about equal rights in 2022 yet here we are. Globally, girls are still being forced to marry against their will, still aren’t afforded the right to have an education. Seventy-two countries still don’t allow women to open bank accounts. Until these women see equality, we still have much work to do,” said Manz.

From a male’s perspective, Bryan Butler said something to focus on is a quote, “A significant disparity exists between the number of women working and owning Africa’s land. Only 15 percent of all landholders in sub-Saharan Africa are women, but 80 percent of the food produced in Africa is grown by women. Women also make up 74 percent of all workers in sub-Saharan Africa’s informal economy.”

Bryan went on to say in history we have rarely seen children sent to kill each other by women. That has been the choice of men like Putin, Hitler, Stalin, and other men.

One of the troubling pieces of evidence of the need for greater recognition of women has been the refusal to grant women’s identity in many cultures. I have a cookbook which my mother helped compile (I was commandeered to help sort pages and more on the kitchen table.) This cookbook was published in the 60’s. Virtually all of the women contributing recipes had no identity. They were known only by their husband’s name.

In Africa, women are known and valued for the children they bear. Again, she has no name of her own. It troubles me to see the regression in the recognition of women taking place in our current society. The lack of affordable child care, the paucity of minimum wage levels, and the disinterest in low-cost housing are all indications of a lack of respect for women.”

Why Gender Equality is Important

As of 2014, 143 countries guaranteed equality between men and women in their constitutions. However, legalizing gender equality doesn’t necessarily mean that in practice women have the same opportunities as men.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 and is the perfect time to highlight how gender equality benefits everybody. Multiple inequalities In many places, women have fewer employment opportunities than men and are denied fair access to health care and education. In fact, on average, women still earn 24 per cent less than men.

Every day, nearly 37,000 girls under 18 are forced into marriage, jeopardizing their education. In 2020, 32 million girls were unable to attend primary school. Serious consequences

A lack of education means that young women aren’t equipped with the skills needed to compete on an equal footing with men. However, giving women greater economic empowerment significantly increases economic growth. An essential balance Gender equality is a fundamental right. In fact, advancing gender equality is critical to all areas of a healthy society, from reducing poverty to promoting the health, education, protection and wellbeing of girls and boys.

According to the United Nations, women have a critical role to play in the organization’s sustainable development goals. Conse¬quently, women’s equality isn’t only a goal, it’s a solution.

Find out how you can make a difference by visiting un.org or investigating initiatives in your community.

Drop-In Basketball Program at the Library

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Vegreville Centennial Library in partnership with the Town of Vegreville is now offering a weekly Drop-In Basketball program.

This program started Pre-COVID-19 and the library is now doing it again since restrictions were dropped. It is available for youths from Grades six to 12.

The first session was held on March 2, and had a total of six participants.

Young people practice their basketball skills.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Young people practice their basketball skills.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Library Programming Assistant Valerie Lowes said, “They, (participants) get to experience that the library offers other programs instead of just having your typical books and things like that. Also, they get to be with their peers and do things they have been missing in the last couple of years.”