Some thoughts on the 100th International Women's Day

************************* Statement by the prime minister of Canada

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the occasion of International Women’s Day:

“Every year, International Women’s Day provides Canadians with an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women, while also acknowledging and addressing the challenges that still remain on the road to equality.

“This year’s International Women’s Day is particularly timely as it comes on the heels of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, where Canada’s female athletes brought home the majority of our 26 medals. They demonstrated the vitality and strength of women’s sport in Canada.

“Because our government is committed to the continued success of women in all fields, we support a wide range of initiatives that create opportunities for women and families, including the extension of maternity and parental benefits to self-employed Canadians, as well as more targetted programs such as the Women’s Community Fund and the Women’s Partnership Fund.

“Our government continues to introduce initiatives that improve the lives of women at home and abroad. In last week’s Speech from the Throne, we committed to further protecting women by cracking down on crime and addressing the unsolved cases of murdered and missing Aboriginal women.

On the international front, Canada is championing a major initiative on maternal and child health in developing nations during its G-8 presidency.

“Today, I hope that you will join me in recognizing International Women’s Day and reflecting upon the many accomplishments of Canadian women.”

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