Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Thursday, March 8, 2018

Today – Mainly cloudy. Periods of snow beginning this morning. Amount 5 to 10 cm. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50. High plus 1.

Tonight – Flurries ending this evening then mainly cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. Local amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low minus 4.

International Women’s Day 2018

What is International Women’s Day?

Each year, March 8 is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women and renew our efforts in achieving gender equality – in Canada and around the world.

The beginnings of International Women’s Day (IWD) trace back to the early twentieth century, emerging from the activities of labour movements in North America and Europe and reflecting a growing movement for women to participate equally in society.

The first International Women’s Day was observed on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. That day, more than one million women and men showed their support by participating in public events. In the years that followed, other countries began to observe and celebrate this day.

The United Nations recognized 1975 as International Women’s Year and began celebrating IWD on March 8, later adopting a resolution designating March 8 as International Women’s Day.

Today, International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world – in many countries, it is a national holiday. It has grown to become a global day of recognition of women’s achievements and a call to action to support women’s rights and advance gender equality.

Join this year’s IWD celebrations and add your voice to those calling out inequality using the hashtag #MyFeminism.

This year’s theme – #MyFeminism

Feminism is simply about equality – equality for women, men and people of all gender identities. Achieving gender equality means that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #MyFeminism, inspired by the role feminism continues to play in shaping Canada and countries around the world.

From the early suffragettes to the activists of today, #MyFeminism celebrates the feminists who inspire others through their determination to make a difference. They are the activists, advocates, and allies who continue to lead the way towards positive change.

This year, let’s celebrate the feminist heroes who have helped pave the way towards equality. Add your voice to the conversation and tell us what feminism means to you using the hashtag #MyFeminism.

Gender Equality

But wait… gender equality already exists, doesn’t it?

Equality between women and men is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Government of Canada is committed to upholding gender equality in all sectors of Canadian society. We have made great strides in many areas, such as education and workforce participation.

Nevertheless, challenges remain:

– Too few women are advancing into leadership roles. Women make up just 21.6% of Financial Post 500* board members.

– Women are under-represented in politics. 26% of those elected to the 42nd Parliament are women. In 2015, women made up 28% of municipal councillors and only 18% of mayors.

– Women continue to be responsible for the majority of caregiving. Women spend more time than men caring for their children. In 2010, women spent an average of 50.1 hours per week on unpaid child care, more than double that spent by men (24.4 hours). In 2010, women were almost twice as likely as men (49% compared to 25%) to spend more than 10 hours per week caring for a senior.

– Women spend more time than men on domestic work. In 2010, while women spent 13.8 hours per week doing housework, men spent 8.3 hours.

– Women in the workforce tend to earn less than men. Average earnings for women in all job tenures (as percentage of men’s earnings) were 68.4% in 2014, suggesting a gap of over 30%. When measuring full-time job tenure only, women earn 73.3% of men working full-time in Canada, or roughly 27% less. Women represent about two-thirds of part-time workers.

– Women continue to experience high rates of gender-based violence. Women are at a 20% higher risk of violent victimization than men when all other risk factors are taken into account. Women account for 87% of victims of sexual offences and 76% of victims of criminal harassment.

– Some groups are at particular risk for gender-based violence. Aboriginal women (10%) were about three times as likely to report being a victim of spousal violence as non-Aboriginal women (3%).

How do we change this?

It starts with changing attitudes and behaviours. It starts by recognizing that the gender stereotypes and subtle sexism we encounter every day are part of the problem. It starts by challenging the sexism and discrimination that allow gender inequality to exist.

Concert/fundraiser on Friday in Wallaceburg

Tidal Wave Movement and James Street Eatery are presenting Marty Oblak with special guest James Bolos.

The show is being held Friday, March 9.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show at 8 p.m.

General admission tickets are $35.

A cash bar is available by James Street Eatery.

A VIP ticket costs $100. This includes cocktail mix and mingle from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at the Eatery. Show at the theatre. Cash bar by James Street Eatery. After party/acoustic open mic, snacks and night caps.

Proceeds go directly to the Tidal Wave Movement for support and awareness for mental health.

This is in loving memory of Matt Moran.