Canada to mark International Women's Day on March 8

Minister Leitch announces 2015 theme: Strong Women. Strong World: Improving Economic Opportunities for All

OTTAWA, Feb. 9, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, today announced the Canadian theme for International Women's Day 2015: Strong Women. Strong World: Improving Economic Opportunities for All.

International Women's Day takes place each year on March 8^th. It is a time for Canadians to celebrate the progress that has been made toward equality for women and their full participation in all aspects of society.  It is also an opportunity to reflect on the barriers that remain and to take action to overcome them.

The Canadian theme of International Women's Day 2015 – Strong Women. Strong World: Improving Economic Opportunities for All – points to the vital contribution that women make every day to both the domestic and global economy.  It also highlights the importance of ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to help create prosperity, whether as an employee, a professional, a business leader or an entrepreneur.

The Government of Canada is committed to promoting the economic success of all Canadians, including women.  Since 2007, the Government of Canada, through Status of Women Canada, has provided more than $60 million for community-based projects that promote women's economic security and prosperity. It is also supporting women entrepreneurs with the creation last fall of the Expert Panel on Championing and Mentorship for Women Entrepreneurs.

Quick Facts

• The first International Women's Day was observed on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.
• International Women's Day now takes place annually on March 8 and occurs during International Women's Week.  In 2015, International Women's Week runs from March 1 to March 8.
• In 2014, women represented 47.2% of the labour force, up from 45.7% in 1999 and 37.1% in 1976.
• Women-owned businesses currently employ over 1.5 million Canadians.
• In 2013 women held just 15.9% of board director positions among Canada's FP500 companies. In 2014, the Government of Canada released the report of the federal Advisory Council for Promoting Women on Boards, which provides a roadmap for improving the representation of women on public and private boards, while building a stronger economy.
• Since 2007, the Government of Canada has provided over $153 million in funding for community-based projects, through Status of Women Canada.

Quote

"On International Women's Day 2015, we will celebrate the outstanding contributions women make to Canada's economy and we will reaffirm our commitment to create more opportunities for women to contribute, now and in the future. When women succeed, Canada succeeds."
The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women

Link

• Information about International Women's Day

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SOURCE Status of Women Canada

Image with caption: "Strong women. Strong World. Improving Economic Opportunities for All. (CNW Group/Status of Women Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150209_C7780_PHOTO_EN_11944.jpg

For media inquiries only: Andrew McGrath, Director of Communications, Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P., Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, Tel: [phone]; For all other inquiries: Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, Tel: [phone]