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International Women’s Day, March 8, celebrates women while focusing on the women’s right movements. It’s a day that aims to bring attention to gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
To mark the occasion in Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ward 1 Coun. Cheraldean Duhaney has organized a community brunch at the Bradford and District Community Centre (125 Simcoe Road) Wednesday at noon.
Duhaney, the first woman elected to council in over a decade, sees it as one of the most important days of the year. A day to not only recognize achievements by women, but to continue to push for equality.
“International Women’s day is recognized annually in communities across the world,” she said. “It is a day to recognize and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.”
Having women in positions of leadership is a key facet to ensuring equality going forward and Duhaney relishes the chance to be a role model in Bradford. She's hopeful there will be more opportunities for women in the community.
“Being the first woman to be elected on council in 12 years, women have been historically underrepresented on town council,” she said. “By strengthening relationships and creating spaces for women to be recognized as leaders in BWG and to become more familiar with the town and council, they could be encouraged to consider running for council in future elections, applying to be part of boards and committees of council, and to be more engaged with the works of the municipality.”
To show its support for the day and women’s rights and equality and equity, Mayor James Leduc, Duhaney and other members of council have proclaimed March 8 as International Women’s Day in Bradford.
“The International Women's Day 2023 campaign theme is #EmbraceEquity, emphasizing that equity isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have, and that gender equity needs to be part of every society's DNA,” reads the proclamation. “#EmbraceEquity seeks to help forge a worldwide conversation about the difference between 'equity' and 'equality' and why it is important to understand, acknowledge and value that equal opportunities aren't enough.
“Equity and equality are inherently different concepts. Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.”
Duhaney hopes events like the brunch will help open up the opportunity for more diverse voices being heard in the community and lead to people with different backgrounds to positions of power to properly represent the community as a whole.
“As the Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, this would benefit the town by bringing diversity of perspectives and experiences to decision-making and becoming more representative of the population we serve,” she explained.
Education and understanding the need for improved equality and equity in communities is a large component of why the importance of events like this need to be highlighted says Duhaney, who has been blown away by the support.
“It’s very important to me as a councillor in my community in leadership to host and organize this, our 1st annual International Women’s Day event,” she said. The event is open and free to everyone in our community. BWG Women Evolve #embrace-equity.”
Those wishing to attend the brunch can register here online.
There are two other events in Bradford to celebrate International Women’s Day with Bradford Women’s+ Group’s social event Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Perfect SZN (100 Dissette Street) and the Portuguese Cultural Centre of Bradford hosting an event Saturday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m.
