On March 8, people across the globe will celebrate International Women’s Day.
The celebration marks the progress and achievements women around the world have made.
Whether these accomplishments are social, economic or political, they are recognized and paid tribute to.
Organizations, groups, governments and individuals will find their own ways, using different themes to bring attention to gender issues.
International Women’s Day has roots beginning in the early 1900s and has steadily progressed since then.
This March will actually mark the International Women’s Day centenary, and will recognize 100 years of achievements by women from all walks of life and the overall successes made in the women’s movement.
From fighting for the right to vote, to the struggle of equal compensation in the workforce, there are so many causes that have been taken up and fought for by women from nations near and far.
It’s important that we all take the time to recognize how far the women’s movement has come.
Without it, the world would be a very different place today.
I can’t imagine what the world would look like if the early pioneers of women’s rights hadn’t stepped up and began down the path in search of equality.
I am proud they took those brave first steps and women around the world continue to proactively advance this movement.
So I hope that everyone will take a moment this March 8, to reflect on how far we’ve come and take the opportunity to celebrate a woman in their life.
Donna Barnett is the Liberal MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin.
