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From YouTube: MARCH 8 2023 Statements Kelli Paddon
Description
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
4th Session
42nd Parliament
A
A
Of
women
throughout
history
recognized
challenges
that
many
continue
to
face
and
reconfirm
our
focus
on
achieving
gender
equality
and
empowering
all
women
and
girls.
International
women's
day
was
first
celebrated
in
1911
and
in
that
year,
over
1
million
people
attended
rallies
in
several
countries
to
demand
the
right
to
vote,
work
and
hold
public
office.
These
women
fought
so
hard
so
that
many
of
us
can
be
here
this
day
was
recognized
by
the
United
Nations
in
1975
and
has
been
globally
celebrated
ever
since
this
year's
theme
for
international
women's
day
is
embracing.
A
Equity
Equity
isn't
just
a
nice
to
have
it's
a
must.
Have
we've
made
great
investments
in
our
journey
towards
equity
in
BC,
birth
control,
increased
family
benefit,
Child,
Care,
expanding
Transportation,
expanding
connectivity,
expanding
free
menstrual
products,
sexual
assault
services
and
just
this
week
introducing
pieces
of
legislation
that
will
change
British
Columbia
for
women,
girls,
gender,
diverse
and
two-spirit
people.
A
We
know
that
we
have
more
to
do.
We
know
women
continue
to
face
discrimination,
harassment
and
violence
in
their
homes
and
other
places.
They
are
underrepresented
in
positions
of
power
and
decision
making.
These
injustices
not
only
harm
women,
but
they
hold
back
our
societies
and
our
economies
as
a
whole.
We
must
work
together
from
all
sides
of
this
house
to
break
down
barriers
that
prevent
women
from
reaching
their
full
potential.
We
must
work
to
listen
to
women.
A
We
must
also
look
at
the
root
causes
of
gender
inequality,
such
as
patriarchal
norms
and
gender
stereotypes,
and
create
culture
that
values
and
respects
women
and
girls.
On
this
International
women's
day,
let
us
recognize
the
invaluable
contributions
of
women
to
our
societies
and
economies.
Let
us
work
together
to
create
a
world
where
women,
girls
and
gender
diverse
people
can
feel
free
from
discrimination,
violence
and
fear
and
fully
realize
their
potential.
Thank
you.