in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 3, 20 22 | 20 WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN Celebrating women today and every day. Happy International Women's Day! Hon. Anita Anand, MP Oakville 905-338-2008 | Anita.anand@parl.gc.ca | @AnitaAnandMP Pam Damoff, MP Oakville North-Burlington 905-847-4043 | Pam.Damoff@parl.gc.ca | @PamDamoff 2022202220222022 International Women's Day#BreakTheBias Marking the day in many different ways All countries have different ways of cel- ebrating and reflecting on women's achieve- ments, including many countries having a unique plan for how they want to mark International Women's Day. The global theme for International Women's Day 2022 is Break the Bias, but every year, Canada and other countries have their own specific themes. This year, the Government of Canada has chosen Women Inspiring Women as our national theme for 2022. Cities across the country will mark the day in a wide variety of ways, all with the focus of honouring the way the women and girls who inspire us contribute to social, economic, cultural and political spheres. Events will include such live events as By Michelle Williams Career Recharge in Toronto, with a group of inspirational women discuss- ing their leadership journeys and shar- ing advice for aspiring female lead- ers, and Workout for Women's Day in Vancouver to raise funds for important women's charities. Given that we are still celebrating this year under the shadow of COVID- 19, there are also numerous virtual events that offer women opportuni- ties to celebrate the day with local, national and global events. The focus of all these events is primarily to raise awareness, knowledge and funds for much-needed women's issues and organiza- tions, but with a special emphasis this year on Canadian women who inspire us with their accomplishments. Like Canada, the U.K., the U.S. and many other countries mark this date with a number of events such as live and virtual workshops, talks, charity events and even demonstra- tions. But many countries celebrate the day very differently. In China, for example, International Women's Day is more closely aligned to the way we cel- ebrate Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Gifts are purchased for mothers. Women are entitled to a half day off work, and they typically use the time to enjoy shopping, meals out, spa treat- ments and more. On the day before, March 7, China also celebrates Girl's Day. Similarly, International Women's Day in Russia is an official holiday. The day is a fes- tive celebration, with women receiving flow- ers, gifts and cards from family and friends. Russian women played a huge role in fight- ing for women's rights in the first years of International Women's Day, so present cel- ebrations are a reflection of the history of the day in that country. There are also tributes to the achievements of famous women. Like China and Russia, socialist coun- tries like Bulgaria celebrate International Women's Day as an official holiday, showing appreciation to women family members and workers with gifts, cards and flowers. While it's not a public holiday in Italy, women are honoured with free passes to museums and they're given yellow mimo- sa flowers by their loved ones. In Poland, the symbolic flower gifted to women on March 8 is the tulip. But it's not all wine and roses. Especially in countries where women's rights have been recently challenged, International Women's Day events have been marked by protests and demonstrations. In recent years, women in countries such as Argentina, Poland and Turkey have marched against anti-abortion laws, gender inequality, domestic violence and sexual abuse. International Women's Day is a reflection of the cultural and political climate of each individual country, but around the globe it's a day to celebrate women's achievements and encourage work toward a gender equal world.