The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women:
Mr. Speaker, it has been a year of advancement for women. The role of the #Metoo and #timesup movements in that change is recognized as is the leadership roles women have taken.
Today the #pressforprogress continues to ensure women’s rights are respected and equality assured, here and around the world.
On International Women’s Day, we express our gratitude and recognize the contributions of women and girls in our province, both past and present. We acknowledge women’s equality-seeking and anti-violence organizations who work to advance true equality for women and girls.
In this province progress continues as our government introduces and advances many programs and initiatives to empower, protect and advance women. I am pleased to chair a ministerial committee across government departments to oversee collective actions to address issues of violence in our province and advance equality. This is in addition to the Justice Minister’s Committee to End Violence Against Women and Girls that engages community groups on this issue, as well as the tremendous work being carried out through our violence prevention initiatives. Strengthened workplace harassment policies in the public sector have been introduced.
Government continues to work collaboratively with industry and community organizations to advance economic opportunity. For example, we are ensuring opportunities for women in the trades and technology sectors by increasing the number of women in trades through women’s employment plans and gender equity and diversity plans for large projects in the province.
In this Honourable House, today and every day, let us all work together to advance true equality – social, legal, cultural, economic and political – for all women and girls in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are all part of the human race – 52 per cent of us just want to be treated equally and respectfully. Let us all recommit today to doing just that.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.