| SAVE THE DATE MARCH 8TH, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. for my annual virtual International Women’s Day Event |
| As women, we often face stereotypes, biases, and many forms of discrimination. As a woman holding public office I have experienced different forms of biases throughout my career. This discussion about the biases and discrimination women experience is incredibly important as we strive towards a more gender equal world. This year, the International Women’s Day theme will look at how to #BreakTheBias! This theme focuses on the importance of supporting women in all of their diversity and working towards a world where we are treated equally – regardless of our gender or any other aspect of our identity. I have done a lot of reflection on this theme in recent weeks and I think it could not be more appropriate. City Council has become an increasingly difficult place for women. As of last week, not a single woman holds a key Committee or Chair position, despite making up one third of Council. We must work together to break the bias in our community, our workplace, and in our everyday lives. Encouraging ourselves and others to be conscious of and confront our biases will help us to challenge pre-conceived ideas about women, and to more importantly prove them wrong. I’ve invited women from across our community to share how they will be helping to #BreakTheBias in 2022. I’ll be hosting a virtual screening on: Tuesday March 8th at 12:00 PM via Zoom. I would love to have you join me! Email me at Diane.Deans@Ottawa.ca for a registration link. |