Madam Speaker, last week I had the opportunity to attend the 8th Annual Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Women to Women Symposium.
The women there were true leaders in business and entrepreneurship, and it was wonderful to hear their shared experiences of breaking gender barriers. The keynote speaker was Deepa Mehta, a female film director, and the topic of discussion turned to discrimination, sexual harassment, and gender-based violence, topics explored in some of her films. It brought to mind that despite the many successes women are achieving in Canada, and the world, it is important to remember that there is still much to be done to ensure equality and safety for women and girls.
Tomorrow we begin 16 days of activism against gender-based violence with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. We must remember that gender-based violence disproportionately affects members of marginalized communities and LGBTQ2 individuals.
I urge us all to take action towards creating a world free from violence for all women and girls, We must leave no one behind.