Women’s Day inspiring change

Saturday, people around the world will mark International Women’s Day. And this year, the theme is ‘inspiring change.’ Friday afternoon, Halton Women’s Place held an International Women’s Day luncheon.

The key note speaker — Mariatu Kamara, is the author of ‘Bite of the Mango.’ She was only 12-years old when rebels cut off both her hands during the Sierra Leone civil war. Through a UNICEF sponsorship — she was able to move to Canada and tour with ‘Free the Children.’ She was chosen to speak due to her bravery and courage. This year, International Women’s Day organizers want to challenge the status quo for women’s equality and inspire positive change.

Mariatu Kamara. “I think it’s a very a brilliant idea for all women around the world and I just hope that it’s going to continue like this and, because women have to be heard, you know need to be heard, you know and women have gone through a lot a lot in, in our lifetime.”

Half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16. A recent world health organization report showed men can be key to reducing partner violence.

Carm Bozzo is with Halton Women’s Place. “It’s extremely important for men to participate. Women abuse isn’t a women’s issue – it’s a human rights issue. So that includes all of us, to get together, to talk about, move forward, ending violence against women and preventing violence against women and that includes men.”

Intenational Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th every year. The first was held in 1911. Saturday, thousands of events will occur around the globe marking the economic — political and social achievements of women.