This release was issued under a previous government.
“Today, we celebrate the contributions of outstanding women from across Alberta and around the world who are fighting to advance gender equality.
“This year’s International Women’s Day theme of #BalanceForBetter reminds us that a gender-balanced world is a better world. Gender balance leads to better decisions and helps our province thrive.
“Alberta’s first ever Status of Women ministry was created on this day three years ago to put women’s interests at the centre of government decision-making.
“Our government has taken concrete steps to make life better, fairer and safer for women across Alberta. We’ve done this through work such as raising the minimum wage, banning mandatory high heels in workplaces, increasing funding for women’s shelters and boosting supports for survivors of sexual violence. We’ve also created more than 7,000 affordable $25-a-day child care spaces to help more women participate in the workforce. And, we’ve successfully encouraged more women to run for office or serve on agencies, boards and commissions.
“I am proud that today our province is at the forefront of women’s entrepreneurship and that more Alberta women than ever before serve on Alberta’s public agencies. While we reflect on the immense progress we have made, we know work remains to break down the many barriers women and girls continue to face.
“This International Women’s Day, I invite all Albertans to learn how they can help build a gender-balanced province where more women take on leadership roles and are treated as equals in their homes, their workplaces and their communities. Advancing women’s equality makes life better for all Albertans.”
Note: The Alberta legislature and the McDougall Centre in Calgary will be lit in purple to commemorate International Women’s Day.