International Women's Day

As the world marks this 102^nd International Women's Day, we wonder as Canadian women, how having an education shaped who we are.  There is a need for an education in every girl's life.  Personally, I feel that my education is the only possession I have that NOBODY can take away from me.  The banks can go into recession, and take away my house and job, but I will still have those 5 years of University level education inside my head.  It is a very precious thing, more-so than even my wedding rings.  Diamonds and jewellry are really just 'things'.  An education is key to transforming lives and supporting a generation of empowered women, mothers, workers and leaders.  Yet, 66 million girls do not attend primary and secondary school in the poorest countries of the world. More specifically, in developing countries, girls are often forced to leave school at the age of 14 to take on household chores, to get married, or simply because their parents cannot afford to pay for their school fees (even at the Primary school level.)

If you were forced to drop out of school at age 14, what would YOU have missed out on? 

Canada is not perfect though, and we have much more work to do.  Aboriginal women are 2.5 times more likely to be victims of violence than non-aboriginal women, and Regina has the highest numbers in Canada for sexual assault against women.  In the Saskatchewan context it’s apparent that violence against aboriginal women goes beyond abuse. According to a report by the Native Women’s Association of Canada, an alarming number or aboriginal women have gone missing or were found murdered. Aboriginal women make up four per cent of Canada’s total population, but in 2011 they accounted for eight per cent of all murdered women 15 and older.

There are so many women around the world who have made differences to our world, and they need to be respected.  We do admire so many women. We need to tell their stories so their lives seem normal for humanity.

Where are the best and worst places in the world to be a woman? 

On International Women’s Day, we take a look at some surprising statistics – from the country where women hold more than 50 per cent of the seats in Parliament (Rwanda) to where it's safest to have a baby (Estonia).

The best place to be a woman:
It’s Iceland, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap report for 2012. The country has claimed the top spot in the report since 2009. Finland, Norway and Sweden round out the top four. (Canada fell three spots to land in 21st place out of 135 countries, one above the United States. What hurts us: the lack of female politicians. The good news: Take a look at the premiers of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut right now since the last scores were tallied.)

My Crone friends met today to tell stories and share food and wine and re-connect as spring is arriving.  I heard a cricket today.

 

We too have many Canadian female heroes.  My niece was written up in a book about 100 Influencial Canadian Women.  She became the first female 'Cowboy of the Year' at the Calgary Stampede a few years back.  I will write about that tomorrow.  She is in Toronto right now at the book signing.  Some-body else wrote the book but I still want to read it.