Happy International Women's
Day to all members
of the Canadian Armed
Forces and employees
of the Department
of National Defence.
I am RAdm Rebecca Patterson
and I am honoured
to serve as the Defence
Champion for Women.
This year's theme
for International Women's Day is
"Women in leadership:
Achieving an equal future
in a COVID-19 world."
This is so appropriate because
we know women have been
disproportionately
affected by this pandemic.
Despite progress on women's
equality around the world,
women are far more likely
to have to rebalance
their paid work obligations
while taking on the lion's share
of responsibility at home,
such as homeschooling
and caregiving.
Globally, and yes, here
in Canada, women are more likely
to be in lower wage earning
jobs in the service sector.
They are more likely
to experience unemployment
due to COVID-19.
And they make up the majority
of single-parent households.
The pandemic has forced
many women to either
lose their jobs or choose
between paid employment and
meeting the support requirements
of their families
during the crisis.
Achieving an equal future
is also a timely message
because it offers Women
as members of the Defence Team
a focus that can help guide us
through the challenges we face
every day at home and at work.
It inspires us
to actively seek out
and address visible
and invisible
barriers to success.
And while we know there is
still work to do
within our organization,
let this not diminish
the celebration of the positive
and crucial impact
women have had
on the success of Defence.
CAF and DND women are leading
deployments around the world.
We are leading efforts to
minimize the effects of COVID-19
on Canadians through
vaccine distribution planning
and logistical support
or direct patient care.
We are managing teams
and working to create change
in a system that wasn't
originally designed for us.
And we are making a difference
so that all women and men
will not face barriers to
achieving their full potential.
We show this through
Canadian-led initiatives
like the Elsie Initiative
for Women in Peace Operations
which is working to help deploy
more women into peace operations
globally in meaningful ways.
We show this by working
to promote qualified women
into the most senior levels
of the Department and ensure
that equal access is provided
to developmental programs
and experiences required.
And women are succeeding.
As your Defence
Champion for Women,
my message to you is this:
Achieving an equal
future is possible.
And it starts with us,
as a team and as leaders,
promoting an inclusive climate
where women feel like
they belong while maintaining an
environment that is inclusive,
supportive, professional
and, above all, respectful.
Thank you.