On Friday, people in Montreal celebrated women in various ways throughout the city. This included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau giving a speech to a women’s business network to mark the occasion.
Trudeau, in his speech, emphasized the importance of investing in businesses led by women and mentioned how a woman took charge and solved the issue of pantyhose ripping, which had stumped scientists for years.
In other parts of the city, Montrealers participated in discussions, workshops, and marches to commemorate the day.
City councillor Mary Deros spoke at the Women in the Spotlight: Echoes of Resilience and Revolution event in Park Extension, stressing the need to support and encourage women to pursue any goal they set their minds on.
Deros also highlighted the strong support provided by community groups in Park Extension to help women overcome obstacles they face.
The event showcased the numerous organizations in Park Extension that assist immigrant women who encounter additional challenges.
Anastasia Georgiou, a councillor at the Bureau d’Information Parc-Extension (BIPE), stressed the need for more resources and support for women, emphasizing the importance of events like this in providing advice, coaching, and a sense of solidarity.
According to organizers, the event also served as a reminder for women to support each other.
Solidarite Ahuntsic, a neighborhood social development group, highlighted the various difficulties women face, with spokesperson Alexandra Vakaloulis noting that one major issue is not being heard. She also mentioned challenges related to housing and intimate partner violence, especially for single mothers.
Vakaloulis emphasized that this is the reality and experience of women in their district as well as in Montreal and the world.
