International Women's Day has Windsorities speaking out on gender issues

People in Windsor are raising awareness of gender issues on International Women's Day.

Donna Mayne is a local artist who isinspired by pioneering female activists.So inspired, that Mayne ventured to completea life-sized statue of anti-slavery advocate Mary Ann Shadd.

For Mayne, the completion of the statue so close to IWD is symbolic.

"It's time that women were recognized and their achievements," she said."This woman [Mary Ann Shadd], I can't think of a better role model than this fearless incredible woman who was able to archivesomuch."

Mayne isalready known for her work on the mural calledReaching Out.

It was part of the Windsor MosaicProject and was intended to recognize the Black community's role in Windsor's development.

The mural depicts Mary AnnShadd, Bishop C.L. Morton, Justin Jackson, Rev. J.T. Wagner, Walter Perry and Alton C. Parker.

A female future

At the University of Windsor, students and staff were discussing female empowerment.There were student-led booths highlighting issues surrounding women in engineering, poverty and Indigenous groups.

ShelairSinjari, a third year engineering student,is the vice president of the Women in Engineering club at the university.

"This day is very important cause as an engineer, we feel like we're a minority with men and all around us," she said.

"But having somethinglike this just showing us how proud we should be and itfeels very important to me."

AsmaGhafooris a fourth year biology major and the president of the Because I Am A Girlclub at the university.She and other club members are hosting an information booth in support of the Because I Am A Girl foundation.

The foundation aims to promote children rights globally with health, education and sanitation.

GhafoorsaidIWD highlights not just women's achievements.

"We'realso able to identify the struggles women may have in society and acknowledge them so that we can work to make them better."

Maya Jessop is a part of the Native Student Alliance at the university.

As a young Indigenous woman, Jessop saidthe day is a greateracknowledgement ofwhat Indigenous women can bring to the table.

"To me, it's a celebration ofculture and achievementand also promoting the further involvement of Indigenous women in society."

Around the world

Also on the campus was a documentary festival featuring issues faced by women in India.

The festival was a joint effort by the women's and gender studies program and various departments.

ProfessorUrvashiSoni-Sinha, whospoke at the event, said at some level, IWD is symbolic.

"It is symbolic of our past struggles as women and it is symbolic of our solidarity because we obviously cannot accomplish in one day everything that we need to do over the years," she said.