OTTAWA (Ontario) – This year the theme Strong Leadership. Strong Women. Strong World = Equality for March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD) and International Women's Week (IWW), which runs this year from March 2 to 8, and unveiled the poster celebrating IWD/IWW.

“The theme Strong Leadership. Strong Women. Strong World = Equality is beautifully conveyed in the IWD/IWW poster, reflecting our Government’s firm belief that increasing women’s participation and access to leadership roles and opportunities will help women and girls thrive, reach their full potential and fulfill their dreams,” said Tilly O’Neill-Gordon, M.P. for Miramichi and member of the Standing committee on the Status of Women.

“To build a more prosperous Canada, we need the contributions of all Canadians – women and men, girls and boys alike.”

Each year during IWD/IWW, Canadians celebrate progress toward equality for women and their full participation, reflect on the current challenges and consider future steps in achieving equality for all women, in all aspects of their lives.

“For Canadians, equality means women and men sharing in the responsibilities and obligations, as well as in the opportunities and rewards, of life and work,” O’Neill-Gordon added.  In the Miramichi riding, as well as elsewhere, there are more and more women who are attaining important roles in their workplace, however, we still have a long way to go to achieve Equality, she concluded. “

For further information on International Women’s Day and International Women's Week, and to order a poster, visit the website of Status of Women Canada at http://www.iwd.gc.ca.