Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of International Women's Week, a global celebration of women's accomplishments in seeking gender equality.
Since women's struggles were officially recognized through the first International Women's Day in 1911 great strides have been made but much remains to be done.
In Canadian politics, for example, less than 20 per cent of the members of the House are female compared to 52 per cent of the general population.
A more shocking imbalance occurs in science where less than 5 per cent of faculty and engineering are female, a statistic women like Dr. Lillian Dyck are working hard to correct. A biochemist at the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Dyck takes very seriously her duties as a role model for girls and women in science.
Having completed her own chemistry degree without ever encountering a female professor, Dr. Dyck hopes to encourage more female students to seek careers in science and engineering. The supportive atmosphere and changing stereotypical attitudes are crucial if the imbalance in this male dominated field is to be corrected.
Just as in politics, women in science need to see other women in the jobs to which they aspire. Scientists like Dr. Lillian Dyck are making sure this happens.