Minister proclaims International Women�s Day

Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, has proclaimed March 6-12 as International Women�s Week (IWW) in Newfoundland and Labrador. This year, the Canadian theme is "You are Here: Women, Canada and the World."

"The theme recognizes the long road towards achieving gender equality and the many barriers that remain in our way," said Minister Joan Burke. "It also asks Canadians to celebrate how far women have come and support one another in continuing the battle. We will only reach our goal if we dedicate ourselves and our efforts to ensuring women�s voices are heard and our perspectives included."

The highlight of IWW is International Women�s Day on March 8. Established in 1977 by the United Nations, this special day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made to advance women�s equality, to assess the challenges facing women in contemporary society, to consider future steps to enhance the status of women and to celebrate the gains made in these areas.

"Women continue to seek a better life for their families and communities," said Minister Burke. "The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to continuing our work with women�s groups in this province towards achieving social and economic equality.

"I will be joining the women of Labrador to celebrate International Women�s Day at an event in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and I encourage all residents of this province to seek out IWW events in their region."

Photo #1: Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, has proclaimed March 6-12, 2005 as International Women�s Week. Joining her for the proclamation signing were: Lisa Zigler, Katja Janssen and Jillian Dawe from the 2005 St. John�s International Women�s Day Committee.

March 8th has been celebrated as International Women�s Day since 1910. This day was declared at the Second International Conference of Socialist Women in Copenhagen to acknowledge women�s struggles and the inequalities against which women still must fight, and to commemorate the courage and tenacity of women textile workers of New York�s Lower East Side.

Each year on March 8th, millions of women, men and children join in the celebration of International Women�s Day. Therefore, I, Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, do hereby proclaim March 8th as International Women�s Day and encourage all citizens to participate in issues affecting women�s equality.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-4062, 689-2624

2005 03 07               12:25 p.m.