WEBVTT

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Happy International Women's
Day to all members

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of the Canadian Armed
Forces and employees

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of the Department
of National Defence.

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I am RAdm Rebecca Patterson
and I am honoured

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to serve as the Defence
Champion for Women. 

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This year's theme
for International Women's Day is

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"Women in leadership:
Achieving an equal future

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in a COVID-19 world."

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This is so appropriate because
we know women have been

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disproportionately
affected by this pandemic.

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Despite progress on women's
equality around the world,

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women are far more likely
to have to rebalance

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their paid work obligations
while taking on the lion's share

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of responsibility at home,

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such as homeschooling
and caregiving. 

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Globally, and yes, here
in Canada, women are more likely

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to be in lower wage earning
jobs in the service sector.

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They are more likely
to experience unemployment

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due to COVID-19.
And they make up the majority

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of single-parent households.
The pandemic has forced

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many women to either
lose their jobs or choose

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between paid employment and
meeting the support requirements

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of their families
during the crisis. 

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Achieving an equal future
is also a timely message

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because it offers Women
as members of the Defence Team

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a focus that can help guide us
through the challenges we face

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every day at home and at work.
It inspires us

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to actively seek out
and address visible

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and invisible
barriers to success.

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And while we know there is
still work to do

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within our organization,
let this not diminish

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the celebration of the positive
and crucial impact

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women have had
on the success of Defence.

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CAF and DND women are leading
deployments around the world.

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We are leading efforts to
minimize the effects of COVID-19

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on Canadians through
vaccine distribution planning

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and logistical support
or direct patient care.

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We are managing teams
and working to create change

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in a system that wasn't
originally designed for us.

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And we are making a difference
so that all women and men

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will not face barriers to
achieving their full potential.

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We show this through
Canadian-led initiatives

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like the Elsie Initiative
for Women in Peace Operations

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which is working to help deploy
more women into peace operations

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globally in meaningful ways. 

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We show this by working
to promote qualified women

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into the most senior levels
of the Department and ensure

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that equal access is provided
to developmental programs

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and experiences required.
And women are succeeding. 

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As your Defence
Champion for Women,

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my message to you is this:

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Achieving an equal
future is possible.

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And it starts with us,
as a team and as leaders,

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promoting an inclusive climate
where women feel like

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they belong while maintaining an
environment that is inclusive,

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supportive, professional
and, above all, respectful.

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Thank you.