International Women’s Day #PledgeForParity Campaign:

Women and men from around the world pledged to take action towards the acceleration of gender parity. Pledge takers are encouraged to promote the different ways they will be working towards gender equality. For example, parity can be achieved through gender-balanced leadership, creating inclusive cultures, valuing women and men’s contributions equally, and many other ways. On International Women’s Day’s website you can find downloadable selfie cards to take the pledge, which are then to be shared on social media.
Some of the influential people who took the pledge include:

· Fiona Dawson - Global President, Mars Food, Drinks & Multisales
· Sir Richard Branson - Founder of the Virgin Group
· Harriett Baldwin – Economic Secretary to UK Treasury

Click here to see more of the world leaders who #PledgeForParity.

HeForShe Arts Week:

HeForShe is a solidarity campaign created by UN Women that targets men and boys as agents of change for the achievement of gender equality. On March 8^th, Emma Watson, Forest Whitaker and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka gathered with other special guests at the Public Theater in New York to announce the inaugural HeForShe Arts Week, a week of arts events around New York City from March 8-15. HeForShe Arts Week aimed to initiate a dialogue about gender equality among men and women to evolve the behaviours, norms and perceptions that shape our cultural view of gender. HeForShe Arts Week will come to cities around the world in 2017. Watch the announcement video for HeForShe Arts Week here and follow @HeForShe and @UN_Women to stay tuned for events in 2017.

#YouAreEmpowerment Campaign:

Status of Women Canada launched their social media campaign #YouAreEmpowerment  in honour of International Women’s Day to highlight that empowerment is essential to gender equality. Women and girls who are empowered, by having the tools to make better choices, are better equipped to fulfill their potential and contribute their best to society. Watch Status of Women in Canada’s video about why you should tell the important women in your life how they empower you, and watch the Honourable Patty Hajdu and Anju Dhillon talk about International Women’s Day and empowerment. You can also check out the twitter conversation about #YouAreEmpowerment here.  

Iconic Canadian Woman to Appear on Bank Note:

Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced the creation of a new polymer bank note featuring an iconic Canadian woman to be released in 2018. The Bank of Canada has left the decision of what woman will be featured on the bank note up to the Canadian public. To vote for the woman you think should be commemorated on Canadian currency click here.  
Read our blog to see some of the historic women we think deserve to be commemorated. 

National Film Board of Canada Announces Gender-Parity Initiative:

Claude Joli-Coeur, head of the National Film Board (NFB) of Canada, announced that the NFB will be ensuring that half of its productions will be directed by women, and half of all its money spent will go towards women directors. The initative will be rolled out over the next three years. To read more about the NFB’s commitment click here.