Thank you, Mr. Speaker. International Women’s Day on March 8th presents

an opportunity for all Northerners to draw attention to women’s equality and gender parity. We celebrate this opportunity with many strong political women leaders in this room and from around the territory. We are here today to give meaning to greater transparency of leveraging balance within ourselves and humanity.

As a male politician, I have the opportunity to set an example for men everywhere to support the rights of women and by giving credibility to what this day really means instead of what people think it means. No matter who you are, everyone should be in favour of equality of genders, because it’s about the justice of being treated as equal that’s at stake.

Fighting for gender equality is not about money and power; it’s about basic human rights, nothing more.

When women are empowered, they measurably improve the lives of everyone around them, their workplace, their families and their communities. If we truly care for a better society and believe that everyone has a fair chance to be what they can be and do what they want to do, then we must do away with institutional privilege and support a society that is gender just, equal and democratic.

So, although we have come closer to achieving parity between men and women in areas of health and education, we still have much to do in the transparency of leveraging balance in our economic well-being. With a slumping economy, we are at a significant crossroads. Our population is aging, the fertility rate has fallen and our future workforce will be smaller. Now, more than ever, we need to leverage our gender diversity where the talents of both men and women are in full force. We can no longer afford to leave so much potential behind, as our economic future depends on it.

So on March 8th , I ask all men, if you care about

this future, then give this day its due consideration and contemplate without fear of judgment, a society free of gender bias and inequality. As we heard from our Premier today, let’s make this happen. Thank you.