[0]March 8th is International Womens Day
Violence against women is an issue that cannot wait. At least one out of every three women is likely to be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. No country, no culture, no woman young or old is immune to this scourge.
-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Please join us in sending a message to Prime Minster Harper.
Dear Friend,
International Women’s Day is March 8th. This is a day to double our resolve to support women’s rights – and an opportunity to ask our elected leaders to take action to make good on their commitments to women’s equality.
The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women is meeting right now to discuss the issue of financing for women’s equality, something that, sadly, the federal budget just released here in Canada does little to address.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon kicked off the meetings by launching a multi-year campaign to end violence against women around the globe, calling on world leaders to take action through national campaigns.
Financing for women’s equality. Campaigns to end violence. We believe Canada ought to show leadership on both fronts – at home and abroad.
Please write to Prime Minister Harper today. Ask him commit to supporting gender equality at home and abroad.
Sincerely,
Bill Hynd, Campaigns Coordinator
Oxfam Canada
View the public signature board [1]
Petition Excerpt
Dear Mr. Harper,
This International Women’s Day we hope you will follow the lead of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and pledge to achieve gender equality and an end to violence against women.
Please consider taking the following steps:
- Increase development aid to 0.7% of national income over the next ten years
- Focus more of our aid on advancing the equality of women and girls
- Invest in public services so that women and girls are guaranteed access
- Ensure every federal budget takes into account women’s realities and responds to their priorities, like childcare and housing.