Belleville celebrates International Women’s Day

Participants in the 26th annual International Women’s Day march in Belleville finish up their march through the downtown on March 8, 2019. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

Belleville residents took part in the 26th annual International Women’s Day march through the downtown today to mark International Women’s Day.

This year’s theme is Balance for the Better and Three Oaks Training & Education Coordinator Leah Morgan says it was another great turnout again this year for the march.

Once again she was thrilled to see those young and old, women and men participating in the march. Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis and hastings-Lennox and Addington MP Mike Bossio both participated in the march.

Mp Mike Bossio and MP Neil Ellis speak to Leah Morgan of Three Oaks following the 26th annual International Women’s Day march in Belleville. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

Morgan says this year, unlike last year, there was no heckling of the group while on their march through the downtown. She says there was plenty of waving and horns honking in support of their march. Once again, the Belleville Police Service led and followed the march as they made their way from the Bridge Street United Church, through the downtown and back to the church.

Jane Rabinowicz, Executive Director of USC Canada spoke following the 26th annual International Women’s Day march in Belleville. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

Following the march, guest speaker Jane Rabinowicz, the Executive Director of USC Canada, spoke about women farmers around the world.

She brought an international perspective during her talk following today’s march.

Rabinowicz says you can really go down a rabbit hole thinking about the challenges women face world-wide, but she likes to look at the brighter side of the picture.

She also mentioned today USC Canada launched their Women Seed Change campaign. It celebrates the leadership of women farmers around the world.

She told Quinte News she was very impressed not only by the number of people who participated in the march, but by the sheer volume of those involved.

Participants in the 26th annual International Women’s Day march in Belleville finish up their march through the downtown on March 8, 2019. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

One of the many posters held high during the 26th annual International Women’s Day march in Belleville on March 8, 2019. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

Some of the many posters held high during the 26th annual International Women’s Day march in Belleville on March 8, 2019. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

Morgan says violence against women is still a prevalent issue. Last year there were 46 women in Ontario who died because of domestic violence and every four days a women dies nation wide at the hands of a partner or ex-partner.