BCAFN Celebrates International Women’s Day: Accelerate Action for Equality!

Press Release

(Lheidli T’enneh Territory (Prince George) xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) On this International Women’s Day, we stand united to honour and celebrate the contributions, resilience, and achievements of First Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals. This year’s theme, “Invest in women: Accelerate action for women’s equality,” emphasizes the urgency and importance of addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional realms.

“As we observe International Women’s Day, I invite everyone to join us in taking immediate and collective action,” responded BCAFN Knowledge Keeper Gwendolyn Point. “We must make progress toward gender equality, and it demands our attention, our time, and our commitment. Together, we must dismantle the barriers that hinder the advancement of First Nations women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples and build pathways toward equality that ensure the success of future generations.”

BCAFN Women’s Representative Cheryl Rule noted, “The implementation of the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are key pathways that are fundamental to healing our communities and restoring the cultural, spiritual, and social well-being of First Nation women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The implementation of these recommendations is an urgent call to action for all levels of government and society to create safer communities, improve health and social services, enhance cultural education, and amplify the voices of First Nations women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and their families. This is not just a movement—it’s a sacred duty to protect and uplift our people for generations to come.”

BCAFN calls for all Canadians to move forward in solidarity on March 8th and take decisive action to #AccelerateAction for all women and marginalized individuals. Every voice matters; every action counts. Together, we will forge a future where equality for all is a shared reality.

In unity and strength!

-30-

Media contact: Annette Schroeter, BCAFN Communications Officer, (778) 281-1655

ILR5