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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, March 5, 2014 | 6 March 8 is International Women's Day (IWD) and while there is much to celebrate there is equally as much yet to accomplish. There have been positive gains for the equality of women, but the world is still unequal in so many respects. IWD serves to acknowledge the social, political and economic achievements of women, however, it also focuses on areas that need action. Each year, IWD is celebrated March 8. The rst such day was held in 1911. Annually, thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organizations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, corporations and the media mark the day. And then the work carries on. International Women's Week is an opportunity for Ontarians to focus on strengthening the role of women in our society, according to Teresa Piruzza, Ontario's Minister Responsible for Women's Issues. "From March 2-8, the spotlight is on women and the advances we have made towards full equality around the world and here in Ontario. This year, the United Nations' theme for International Women's Day on March 8 is `Equality for women is progress for all'," said Piruzza. In town, International Women's Day will be celebrated tonight at The Dinner Party being hosted by Women of Halton Action Movement (WHAM) and Zonta of Oakville at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre. Headlining this year's event will be Canadian comedian and actor Mary Walsh, who will speak about her career, as well as women in politics. Walsh, 61, who makes her home in St. John's, N.L., received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in 2012, and has several Gemini Awards under her belt. She told the Oakville Beaver she'll be sharing some laughs and speaking on the progress women have made -- "the steps forward we've made and how we've fallen back." The dinner will also feature an Afghan market, book sales, a 50/50 draw and silent auction, in support of the Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services of Halton (SAVIS Halton) and Canadians in Support of Afghan Women (CSAW). Sadly, how much progress has been made greatly depends on where on the globe you're standing. Although there are many gains still to be made before we realize equality for women, children, and all peoples, even here at home, we are extremely lucky to be living in Canada. Of late, men have been raising voices for women's rights with a uni ed message that the right to live without violence is not a women's rights issue or a gender issue, but a social issue. So true. Those who can must step up for those who can't. Women in Canada and elsewhere, who enjoy greater rights than their counterparts in other countries, must step up as well. It's great to see Walsh speaking at The Dinner Party. It's also great to see the Afghan market that will raise awareness of gender and social issues in other countries. International Women's Day and Week are a celebration and a reminder to continue our work -- together. Much to celebrate, still more to do Editorial E M P O W E R I N G G I "Connected to your Community" R L S 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 52 | Number 27 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School held a Girls Night In at Holy Trinity event, a fun evening of snacks, dinner, Zumba, and raf es. It also featured guest speaker, jazz singer/songwriter and motivational speaker Coco LaRain. Students, from left, Nicole Butkovic, 16, Emeshe Xavier, 17, Domonique Dinolfo, 17, and Kate Lynn Robles, 17, add the word `Believe' on a banner containing positive and empowering words. The event aimed to promote positive values, healthy choices, leadership skills and positive self-image for female students in Grades 9-12. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS Take the time to be prepared Gary Carr Halton Regional Chair My View MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager E mergencies can happen at any time, and to be ready, individuals, families and businesses should take time to prepare. As part of the Citizens' Action Plan, Halton Region is committed to enhancing the safety of all residents. We have comprehensive plans in place to respond to many situations and regularly put these plans to the test to ensure we are ready to effectively take action. Late last year, we also launched the new Enhanced Community Noti cation Service (eCNS), increasing our capacity to accurately reach as many residents as possible in the event of an emergency. We can all be prepared by knowing the risks, having a plan and assembling or purchasing an emergency kit. Each person and family is different, and so is each emergency situation, so there is no universal plan. For example, personal emergency plans will be different depending whether you live on a farm, in a rural area, or in a house or a high-rise building. Plans need to include special considerations, such as accommodations for pets or other animals, and personal medications and mobility devices. For local residents and businesses, our website -- www.halton.ca/beprepared -- has a lot of great information to help you understand the risks, create a plan and build or purchase an emergency kit. You can also follow @BPreparedHalton on Twitter for timely information. Emergency preparedness is something we all need to think about in order to be prepared. For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the website or dial 311. As always, if you have any Regional concerns or comments you would like to share, please feel free to email me at gary.carr@halton.ca. You can also nd me on Twitter @garycarrhalton, LinkedIn or Facebook. Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.