Around the world, people have been preparing for International Women’s Day — a day that both recognizes women’s achievements, and acknowledges the challenges we continue to face as we work to advance gender equality. In Canada, we have a lot to celebrate. As we mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation, we can be proud of the enormous strides we have made toward gender equality.

Under the leadership of our feminist prime minister, I sit with an equal number of men and women at the cabinet table. Our public appointments process now aims to achieve gender parity in the nearly 4,300 available positions, which will lead to an increased amount of women’s voices in key decision-making roles on federal boards. Our country is stronger, and our government more effective, when our decision-makers truly reflect Canada’s diversity.

Women now make up approximately 47 per cent of our workforce, compared to just over 45 per cent in 1996 and less than 38 per cent in 1976. In 1996, 38 per cent of women had a diploma, degree or certificate from college or university; by 2015, that had risen to 61 per cent. In fact, women now represent close to 58 per cent of all post-secondary graduates. With advancements like these it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that we still have work to do.

Discrimination and gender stereotypes continue to influence our daily lives. What’s more, we don’t always recognize those stereotypes when we see them. Whether it’s the still persistent view that “men don’t stay home to raise children,” or the sexism at the root of any number of jokes about “shrill women bosses,” these outdated and false assertions continue to hold us all back. Our government has been working to ensure that our federal institutions are workplaces free from sexism and harassment and Canadians must do their part as well. By working together, we can eliminate these destructive attitudes and behaviours.

Thankfully, the call for gender equality is getting louder each and every day as more and more people are realizing that inequalities still exist and that these inequalities are damaging to us all. We must stay committed to ensuring that women and girls can reach their full potential.

This year, Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day is Equality Matters.

Equality matters because we can make our economy stronger when we harness the talents of all Canadians.

Equality matters because when women have a seat at the table, our government is more effective.

Equality matters because our children are watching and learning from our actions.

Equality matters because an inclusive society where everyone has a chance to contribute will always work better than one that marginalizes its people.

I am proud to be part of a government that has made gender equality a key priority. I believe Canada has the potential to lead the world on this issue. I believe we can come together and show the global community that equality is good for the economy, good for democracy, good for families, and good for everyone.

In honour of International Women’s Day 2017, I am urging all Canadians to help us expose stereotypes and discrimination. By challenging our assumptions about gender, we can move beyond them. By eliminating sexism and misogyny, we can move closer to an equal future where our children can aspire to any goal they can imagine and where all Canadians are able to contribute to every aspect of society, regardless of gender.

I know that we can do it together. When a girl gets a good education, she will develop the skills she needs to find a solid, well-paid job. When a mother has the opportunity to join the middle class and help grow the economy, her whole family benefits. When a woman steps forward to lead, the community is strengthened. When all women are afforded these opportunities, our entire nation reaps the rewards.

Together, women and men and girls and boys, have the power to create change shoulder to shoulder. We need to call out inequality. We need to break down barriers by telling our stories. We can say loudly and proudly that equality matters to us. Every action — big and small — will help us move closer to equality for all.

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We have everything we need to succeed, but it is up to us to do the work. What we do today will have an impact that will be felt for the next 150 years. Canada must continue to be a beacon of hope internationally!