Women’s history month in the US.

Celebrating International Women’s Day March 8, 2022

‘Women’s history month is to encourage the study, celebration, and contribution women have made in American society.’  We celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022.  The theme for this  year  2022 is ‘Time to Break the Bias’ #BreakTheBias

 

The theme for Canada International  Women’s Day,  “Women Inspiring Women”

The Government of Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022 is Women Inspiring Women.

It celebrates all the women and girls who inspire us by demonstrating leadership in the choices they make in their day-to-day lives to contribute to the social, economic, cultural, and political spheres.

In Canada, unlike in many other countries, women are free to study and be leaders in the field they choose, care and provide for their family, express who they are, and fight for their beliefs.

What is international women’s day?

“ International women’s day is a global day celebrating the social, economic cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activities witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality“

“IWD 2022 campaign theme “#BreakTheBias”
Imagine a gender-equal world.
A world for your bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.
A world of difference is valued and celebrated.
Together we can forge women’s equality.
Collectively we can all #BreakThatBias.”

This year the colour is purple which represents justice and dignity. Purple just happens to be one of my favorite colours.

If no one says anything then nothing changes for all women ( those who identify as female) around the world.

What can you do to celebrate the women in your life?

As a survivor of sexual violence and 20 years of gender workplace bullying speaking up for others has become my passion. Blazing a trail for the next generation of female officers in the RCMP and other police agencies. I cannot deny or change my past but my voice can help create those positive changes for women. Having a strong female role model was and is a positive influence. My mother did not get much support and yet managed to raise seven children and get her teaching /education degree. Growing up I saw how unfair men (power positions) could be in society and thank goodness times have changed. With more voices, there continues to be a forward momentum for equality at home and in the workplace.
For me, I celebrate the women in my life by continuing to speak up for them. Speaking up in ending workplace sexual harassment and bullying, addressing gender parity and the need for equality. Every voice counts. If you think one voice has no impact, think again. All through history change began with one voice. Maybe that change is your voice, in a call to action.

Speaking from experience as a female RCMP officer

where gender parity, equality, respectful workplace failed and never practiced, I could see over the years the importance of having people speak up for women in policing. Clearly, this problem is in many police communities and thankfully women and men are speaking up to end the bias, to end the bullying, to eliminate sexual harassment to end discrimination in the workplace. It is a journey. If no one says anything then nothing changes.

However, it’s important to note that policies, procedures, rules, and regulations on these important issues are only as effective as the people willing to enforce them every day. To celebrate and honour women means to celebrate,  honour and respect them every day not just one day of the year. Women inspire women today and every day.

Speaking up for Inclusive respectful workplace cultures that career for women can thrive and their achievements are attainable.

I am reminded of how there seems to be inequality when it comes to women athletes and sports. Clearly, there always seems to be money, funding and advertising for male sporting activities, and yet there is a severe shortage for funding, advertising promoting of women’s sports. Look at the difference between advertising, media attention, salaries of Men’s and Women’s hockey?

It’s important to start that conversation

with our children at an early age and keep the conversation going about women achieving their goals free from bias and all its ugly forms.

As a female officer who experienced sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying it was and is really important to keep the conversation going and create a more gender-inclusive respectful workplace. By sharing these lessons, Sharing our stories we can help educate other women so they don’t have to suffer as we did. By sharing our stories we can create positive change and #EndtheBias.

 

 

Equally important is women supporting other women. An empowered woman gives other women a hand up, not a pushdown. An empowered woman celebrates other women’s accomplishments. Empowered women do not judge or condemn other women’s successes in life.

Sometimes this can be difficult based on our own life experiences and trauma. The idea is to never give up, reach out for positive support, stand up and speak, create your own self-care tools for good physical and mental health which is also empowering, then empower others to also believe in the power of their voice, to believe and succeed.

On March 8 think about all the women in your life, of yesterday and today, and how are you celebrating and honouring them each and every day. Think about how you want to honour and celebrate yourself as a woman, as someone identifying as female and begin to create positive changes.

Let the voices ring loud and clear to #BreakTheBias

and create positive changes for all women. I know your voice is part of the change. Women Inspiring Women to achieve their career potential and happiness.