Image Credit: Adam Donnelly, CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Kamloops voices celebrate progress, acknowledge work to be done during International Women’s Day

Mar 8, 2021 | 5:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — March 8 in International Women’s Day, and people around the world are making sure to acknowledge the important women in their lives.

In Kamloops, local voices are celebrating how far society has come for female equality, and speaking up on issues that need improvement. To encourage women to make their voices heard and pursue their passions, this year’s theme is “Choose to Challenge”.

CFJC Today spoke with several women who have done just that.

There were no large gatherings to celebrate International Women’s Day, but the Council of Canadians made sure to recognize the occasion with online femal presentations. Kamloops Chapter Chair Anita Strong says they didn’t want to let the day pass by without acknowledgment.

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“To celebrate the victories, and to emphasize where we’re going and what our hopes and dreams are for a gender-equal society.”

The group is one of several organizations in Kamloops who not only have female voices at the table, but leading the way.

Leadership through COVID-19

Throughout the pandemic, the federal government, the province and Interior Health have had notable women shaping the response strategy.

Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and Interior Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton are a few that come to mind. Within the Kamloops region and at Royal Inland Hospital, there are plenty of women who have had the freedom to pursue advanced levels of healthcare and medicine.

Dr. Elizabeth Parfitt is the RIH Site Medical Director, and an infectious disease specialist — a valuable field during a global pandemic. When asked how her interest in medicine was fostered, Dr. Parfitt says she’s grateful to have grown up in a home that encouraged her career aspirations.

“I feel very privileged to be able to have the experience that I’ve had,” she says. “Where I’ve been lifted up along the way by both fellow women as well as men along the way. Because we’ve normalized that.”

Dr. Parfitt says having women involved in leadership decisions has improved the healthcare system as a whole.

“I think we’re seeing the importance of empathy in leadership, and we’re seeing it often with female leaders right now,” she notes, “at least within our B.C. / Canadian context.”

Women in Politics

On the political front, Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo has been represented since 2008 by MP Cathy McLeod. Currently serving her last term in office, McLeod says the growing number of women earning public service roles is encouraging.

“We finally reached 100 women in parliament in Canada, which is getting there, but certainly not where we can and should be.”

International Women’s Day is one to celebrate progress from days past, but McLeod also acknowledges the unequal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic seen today. Many women are facing a disproportionate amount of gender-based violence in home settings, and the economic downturn has also brought negative effects.

“It appears that there’s been many more challenges for women in terms of job losses,” explains McLeod. “They’re calling it the ‘Shedemic’ as opposed to the pandemic. So that really does speak to some of the work that still needs to be done, unfortunately.”

The local MP is taking this year’s ‘Choose to Challenge’ theme to heart. The slogan is partly meant to encourage women to explore what interests them, and McLeod feels the words also reflect the importance of women being able to speak up. Particularly as recent allegations of sexual misconduct brings Canada’s military culture into question.

“‘Choose to Challenge’ means two things to me. It means choose to challenge yourself, but also choose to challenge when things aren’t right. I look again at the Canadian Armed Forces and I choose to challenge.”

Moving forward

We’re not there yet, but many women say they hope for a future in which young people won’t have experienced inequality.

“Things are changing and it’s a really lucky time to be alive,” says Dr. Parfitt. “Allowing women and all kinds of diverse types of skills and value sets is only making it better for everybody.”