Statement
Ottawa –The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement today to mark International Women's Day:
"International Women's Day is an opportunity for all Canadians to honour the outstanding contributions of women to our country. It is a global day of recognition of women's achievements, past and present, and a call to action to advance gender equality.
Women have played a significant role in the defence of peace and freedom, both in Canada and abroad, for well over 100 years. They have risked their lives while serving in uniform, and in an evolving array of duties, from acting as Nursing Sisters in the First World War to roles as mechanics, parachute riggers, and heavy equipment operators during the Second World War. Women also contributed on the home front during the war years in new ways, as shipbuilders, munitions workers, and scientists. Today, women serve with distinction, as civilians and in uniform, in all occupations within the Defence Team. While we have taken significant steps toward gender equality, we know that much more work needs to be done.
"We are focused on increasing the number of women in our military and in all aspects of security and defence, and we will continue to place gender equality and rights, and the empowerment of women at the center of our work. Today, we thank all women of our Canadian Armed Forces, and all those who came before them, and celebrate the courage and commitment they demonstrate time and time again in service to our country.
