Thursday, March 8 marks the annual International Women’s Day and this year’s campaign theme is #PressforProgress.

The issue of women’s equality has been in the forefront on a global scale with movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp but for all the strides that have been made, we still have a long way to go. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Global Gender Gap Report, the findings show that gender parity is still 200 years away.

This year’s theme reminds us that while we have accomplished much, we cannot be complacent. This is a time to come together as friends, colleagues and communities to continue to fight for gender parity. Our actions are starting to have effect slowly. The recently announced federal budget, for example, promises to introduce legislation for pay equity.

We must continue the fight and we must continue to support initiatives that promote equality and empower women. MoveUP proudly supports initiatives such as the United Way’s Tampon Tuesday and our Women’s Rights Committee strives to get involved at events such as the BCFED’s Women’s Lobby in Victoria just several days ago.

For those of you who are interested, we encourage you to learn more about the causes that we fight for and join us to make a difference in your workplace, in your local community and ultimately on a global scale.

International Women’s Day is about unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action. Today we take the time to acknowledge all the work but we must remember that the work continues each and every day.

Thank you to those who support women’s issues and help to make a better tomorrow for women all across the world.

To learn more, visit internationalwomensday.com.

In Solidarity,

Rysa Kronebusch and Janie McDougall
Women’s Right Committee Co-Chairs