Statement from Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean on International Women’s Day

Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean has issued the following statement:

“Today we celebrate International Women’s Day, an opportunity to recognize and honour the achievements, contributions and resilience of women worldwide. We recognize and celebrate strong women who have advanced the fight for gender equality in the Yukon. This work continues to be necessary and important. 

“At the core of today’s celebration is a long history of women who have fought for an equal society – a society where everyone enjoys the same rights and opportunities. The United Nation’s theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Invest in women: Accelerate progress. This year’s theme is a reminder that gender equality is one of the most effective ways to build healthier, more prosperous and more inclusive communities.

“Achieving gender equality is not just a matter of opportunities but a matter of personal safety for women and gender-diverse people. Gender-based violence is a significant and complex issue in the Yukon, with rates approximately three to four times higher than the national average. Across Canada, Indigenous women, as well as transgender, Two-spirit and gender non-conforming people, continue to face significantly higher risk of violence and abuse.

“Through our implementation of the National Action Plan to end Gender Based Violence, we are working to address the root causes of gender-based violence and improving our response and services for survivors. Many partners across the territory have joined together to create the MMIWG2S+ Strategy and Implementation Plan. This is a whole-of-Yukon approach to address the systemic issues that lead to violence against Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirit People. In 2021 the Government of Yukon made a commitment through its LGBTQ2S+ Inclusion Action Plan to work with 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the territory to ensure they can enjoy equal rights, representation and access to services.

“I encourage all Yukoners to make this International Women’s Day an opportunity to reflect on how we can end discrimination for all women and gender-diverse people and uphold their right to self-determination and bodily autonomy. I encourage Yukoners to participate, if possible, in the many events and initiatives organized across the territory to mark the occasion.

“Today and every day, let’s celebrate women in all their diversity.”