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HB NEWS TAKING STEPS TOWARD GENDER EQUALITY LOCAL MARCH HELPS MARK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY HERB GARBUTT hgarbutt@metroland.com Margaret Teasdale mar- vels at the progress women have made in her lifetime. "I was telling my son that it wasn't that long ag« that a woman couldn't go to a bank and get a loan un- less her husband went with her," she said. But Teasdale among about women, members of the Tuesday — International Women’s Day — as a re- minder there is far more to be done to achieve equality. see it all the time (with ac- tors) in the movies, but it's ne the accountants, the vine “World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap report estimates wom- en in North America won't achieve true equality until 2082, another 60 years. But Canada has slipped in terms of gender parity from a world ranking of 14th in 2006 to 24th in 2021. Even in areas where have been made, problems still exist. see a lot more women in politics and lead- ership roles, but there's still bias," said Barb Baron before Tuesday's marcl "Sometimes it's very ae tle, remarks or sugges- tions, but then you see (for- mer MP and cnvironment minister) Catherine Kenna and she edd po. lice protection." Baron said similar prob- lems exist as women con- jarbutt / Metroland Left and right: Members of the Georgetown chapter of the Canadian Federation of University ‘Women walk to bring awareness to the ongoing quest for gender equality. tinue to break into previ- ously male-dominated pro- fessions such as trades. (female) carpenter on a job site is still going to face discrimination,” she aid. Both Baron and Teas- dale acknowledge that women in Canada are wey" othe eet to wom- arts of the world Chee ‘pasic rights "You see a lot more women in politics and leadership roles, but there's still so bias. ~ Barh Baron are denied. “Our focusis on Canada, but we do advocate for in pl 3 dale said. "There is work to to achieve gender equality globally. The pan- Gemic has had a negative impact on gender equality, pushing that date back more than 35 years. "I see these numbers and I think about my two daughters," said United Way of Halton and Hamil- ton president and CEO gender equality, at the rate we are going, neither will their ets “great great grandchildre: The United “Way of Hal- ton and Hamilton has in- vested in 30 programs aimed solely at helping n. It has also distrib- uted n more than 130,000 free menstrual products locally through its Period Promise program. NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT VOLUNTEER AWARDS nomination period for Gh Cheers for Volunteers mm Halton (CDH) will present awards to volunteers of non-profit, charitable, vol- untary and grassroots or- ganizations in Halton Re- gion, giving local organiza- tions an opportunity to rec- volunteers who important contribu- tons Organizations do not ognize, be be presented, three each in , Milton, Bur- aren and axa CDH to submit a nomination, A total of 12 awards will de online at “nttps: " bit.ly/8hHKK9r until 4 p.m. on Mar. 31. Recipients will receive wards dt CDH's their ai uring Nationa Apne Week celebrations, ‘pril 25 te toe 29. Choice Awards. NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN It’s in your hands. make sure your favourite business or professional is nominated for the Georgetown Independent & Free Press 2022 Readers’ The Georgetown Independent & Free Press Readers’ Choice Awards were created so you can tell us which local businesses and service providers are the best at what they do. Once the nominations close on March 14, 2022 the nominees will be shortlisted and you will have the chance to vote for your favourite. Help make your favourite local business become a Georgetown Independent & Free Press Readers’ Choice. THE INDEPENDENT Start nominating now at theifp.ca/readerschoice ae 2022 SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA INH UONEH - dl CUL | 2 eordyouy