International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate women and their important role in our society, says Minister of Community Services and Seniors, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Valerie E. Docherty.
“Today is an international day of reflection. It is a day to reflect on our history and take note of the present,” said Minister Docherty. “We have made great strides in advancing gender equality on Prince Edward Island and it is pivotal that we continue in this direction.”
Islanders celebrated International Women’s Day with events across the province including a bilingual book launch at the Confederation Centre Public Library hosted by the P.E.I. Interministerial Women’s Secretariat and Actions Femmes Î.-P.-É. The book launch allowed for an opportunity to celebrate centuries of action by Island Acadian and Francophone women.
Les Acadiennes de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard: Trois siècles d’action was written by Jacinthe Laforest and Georges Arsenault and published by Actions Femmes Î.-P.-É. The co-authors and publishers recently received a Heritage Award from the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation for the preservation of Island history.
“Actions Femmes wished to highlight the many leadership roles Acadian women have undertaken throughout Island history,” said President of Actions Femmes Debbie Gallant. “The book inspires and gives insight into the lives of our Acadian ancestors. It also motivates the younger generations to realize what events have happened in order for them to pursue all the opportunities that are available to them.”
To learn more about the P.E.I. Interministerial Women’s Secretariat’s, visit www.gov.pe.ca/sss/.
Backgrounder:
International Women’s Day Facts:
• Canada is home to 17.4 million women and girls.
• Three million Canadian women and girls live in rural, remote or Northern communities.
• Women make up about 45 per cent of the labour force within rural and remote communities.
• International Women’s Day has been celebrated for more than 100 years.