March 8 is International Women's Day. The campaign theme for 2019 is #BalanceforBetter
A balanced world is a better world. How can you help forge a more gender-balanced world?
Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.
Collective action and shared responsibility for driving a gender-balanced world is key. International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - while also marking a call to action for accelerating gender balance.
The first International Women's Day occurred in 1911, supported by over one million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.
Women in Saskatchewan are making remarkable progress in many diverse roles in our economy. Women and girls contribute to everything from medicine, to innovation and technology, and economic and entrepreneurial participation. Women in agriculture take on vital leadership roles in our rural communities that continue to shape important conversations.
“International Women’s Day is a way to recognize the achievements of Saskatchewan’s women and girls,” Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Tina Beaudry-Mellor said. “Women around the province are disrupting many industries, boardrooms, and entrepreneurial ventures. The more opportunities that are opened up for women, the more our economy benefits.”
“It is great to see that in 2018 Saskatchewan had the second highest employment rate for women in the country,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Women in Saskatchewan continue to play a significant role in our economy and we are proud of their accomplishments.”
More women are also participating in elected office. The Status of Women Office is pleased to announce funding for the Women in the Legislature Program, in its eighth year of operation at the University of Saskatchewan. Women in the Legislature promotes the participation of women in politics and governance, and gives students the opportunity to see how women contribute in government institutions
Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights."
Women continue to blaze trails in the 21st century, influencing world events, politics and businesses near and far.
In the United States, more women were elected to Congress in 2018 than in any other point in history. In 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to hold a seat in the House of Representatives, and today there are 110 women serving in Congress. And such progress is not exclusive to the United States. The World Economic Forum says 56 of the 146 nations studied have had a female head of government in the past 50 years.
Females have also grown in their high-priority roles in the business sector. In 2017, Fortune magazine reported there were 32 female CEOs leading companies such as General Motors, PepsiCo and Lockheed Martin.
Throughout history, many women have made notable impacts in their communities and on society. The following are just a handful of women whose accomplishments are worthy of celebration.
• Millicent Farrett Fawcett: This powerful leader campaigned for women’s suffrage in 1866 at the tender age of 22, leading the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies. Her goal was realized 61 years later.
• Marie Sklodowska Curie: This Polish-born scientist founded a new science of radioactivity, which would have a sizable impact on the treatment of cancer. Curie also was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
• Ruth Law: Despite Orville Wright refusing to teach her to fly, Law learned to be a pilot in the early 20th century. At 28, she beat the cross-country flight record with a 590-mile flight from Chicago to Hornell, N.Y., and later inspired Amelia Earhart.
• Ada Lovelace: This gifted mathematician is considered to be the first computer programmer in the early days of computers.
• Valentina Tereshkova: In June 1963, cosmonaut Tereshkova became the first woman in space. Despite a lack of formal flight training, Tereshkova was selected for the space program due to her skills as an amateur parachutist.
• Oprah Winfrey: Winfrey’s rise from poverty to the status of household name and billionaire mogul is a true rags-to-riches story.
• Nancy Pelosi: Congresswoman Pelosi became the first and thus far only female to serve as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. She is the highest-ranking female elected official in U.S. history.
These are just a handful of the many influential women who have shaped history.
