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International Women’s Day: An opportunity to celebrate Canadian women in STEM and #InnovateForChange

March 8, 2019 – Laval – Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day, we have the opportunity to renew our efforts and celebrate the outstanding contributions of women and girls around the world. This year, we honour women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as well as women who work in areas where they are under-represented.

These women still face barriers such as discrimination, harassment and gender-based violence that prevents them from developing their full potential. As a result, the gender digital divide is growing, and women remain under-represented in these predominantly male sectors. The lack of women’s voices in these areas deprives businesses and Canada of the innovations that could result from their ideas, experience and talent.

The Member for Alfred-Pellan, Angelo Iacono, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, invites the public to participate in the #InnovateForChange campaign to celebrate women and girls who are leading the way in STEM and other sectors. By recognizing their achievements, we can help other girls realize their dreams and pursue these areas.

Quote

“Canada has countless remarkable women and girls who are succeeding and creating positive change. I very much admire the girls and women of Alfred-Pellan who are cementing their place in these predominantly male sectors. They show ambition and determination in reaching their goals, while encouraging and supporting other girls and women. This mutual support is invaluable in inspiring the next generation of visionary women who will, in turn, innovate and transform Canada.” – Angelo Iacono, Member of Parliament for Alfred-Pellan

Quick Facts

• International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world as a day to recognize women’s achievements and a call to action to advance gender equality.
• International Women’s Day was first celebrated on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. On that day, more than a million people demonstrated in the streets.
• The United Nations (UN) began celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8, 1975; two years later, in 1977, it adopted a resolution officially designating March 8 as International Women’s Day.
• Canada’s theme, #InnovateForChange dovetails with the UN’s: “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change.”
• In Canada, only one-third of all STEM degrees are awarded to women, a difference that is even more striking in engineering and computer science.
• Currently, in Canada, less than 5% of CEOs are women and less than 16% of businesses are owned by women.
• In Canada, women account for just 4.5% of skilled trade workers. They account for only 25% of the manufacturing workforce despite labour shortages in this sector.

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Information
Office of Angelo Iacono, MP
300-3131 de la Concorde East
Laval, QC  H7E 4W4
450-661-4117
[email protected]