The first annual Owen Sound Women’s March was held on Saturday, January 19th, despite frigid temperatures, in support of women’s issues and to coincide with the Women’s March on Washington 2019.
Prior to the march, supporters gathered at the Owen Sound Public Library for round-table discussions and community interactions.
Organizer Kaitlyn Whitney began the event by saying that if the health of women is not supported the entire health of a community is in jeopardy. “Healthy women are integral to maintaining a healthy society. The majority of the world’s poor are women and we like to say, not here in Canada however, the average yearly income of a single mother is $28,000 less than a single father and senior women are more likely to live in low-income housing.”
Whitney also pointed out that recent government cuts to the midwifery program, particularly in rural Ontario and Indigenous communities, should not be an option.
“We are marching because women matter,” added Whitney. “Funding cuts and the discontinuation of free tuition for post-secondary education hurts women the most. These and other issues should be non-partisan but it is abundantly clear there are leaders who are willing to sacrifice us for their own political and monetary gains. Many women face barriers that impact their physical, emotional and mental health.”
The march was joined by members of the Grey-Bruce Labour Council and PRIDE of Owen Sound.
