International Women’s Day statement by ministers Joly, Sajjan and Ng  

March 8, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada; and the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, today issued the following statement:

“International Women’s Day is a time to unite our efforts and raise our ambitions to build a more equal future for the next generation.

“At a time when women’s and girls’ voices are increasingly being silenced, we must continue to amplify them at every opportunity. And at a time when women’s rights are increasingly under threat, we must continue to invest in women’s rights organizations and feminist movements and support and protect women peacebuilders and human rights defenders.

“Conflict, inequality and gender-based violence are rising in many parts of the world. Yet, women and girls in Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Ukraine and elsewhere continue to bravely stand up for their rights and press for change. We join together in sending a clear message to those who continue to oppress women: women’s rights are human rights, and all forms of persecution and violence against them must end.

“Canada is proud to stand up for gender equality on the world stage. We believe in equal rights for women and girls in all their diversity. Guided by our Feminist International Assistance Policy and National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, Canada leads the world in the share of our international assistance that goes toward advancing gender equality; empowering women and girls; and establishing women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding.

“Canada is also advancing women’s economic empowerment with the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. This almost $7-billion investment is helping thousands of women access the financing, expertise and networks they need to start up, scale up and expand their businesses into international markets. Canada advocates for inclusivity in trade agreements to help address the interests, needs and challenges that women may face when participating in trade.

“This year, the United Nations is marking International Women’s Day with the theme of DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality. In today’s online world, it is staggering that 259 million fewer women have access to the Internet compared to men. Among women with Internet access, more than one in three have experienced gender-based violence online. And despite progress, there are still nearly twice the number of men than women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) classrooms worldwide.

“Canada is working with our partners to bridge the digital divide and ensure that women have equal, safe opportunities to connect online, excel in STEM and contribute to scientific progress. Through initiatives like the United Nations Population Fund’s Bodyright campaign, we are standing up for online rights and an end to gender-based violence in digital spaces.

“This International Women’s Day, we thank all who are working tirelessly toward a gender-equal future at home, abroad and online, and we salute all who are engaged in ending oppression against women everywhere.”