International Women’s Day Film Screening: It’s A Girl

International Women's Day (March 8th) is a global day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

The United Nations started celebrating International Women's Day on March 8 during International Women's year, 1975. In 1977, the General Assembly declared March 8th as United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed by Member States.

"International Women's Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities." (http://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/).

If you would like more details about this year's theme: "Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality", please visit the UN website: http://www.un/org/en/events/womensday/.

In honour of International Women's Day, the North York Central Library will be hosting a film screening entitled: It's A Girl, a documentary directed by Evan Grae Davis, on Tuesday, March 8th, 2016 (6:45 – 8 pm) in the North York Central Library Auditorium, 5120 Yonge Street. To register, please call: 416-395-5660.

This film explores the tragic concept of gendercide –– the killing, abandonment and abortion of girls, simply because they are girls.

In India, China and many other parts of the world today, girls are killed, aborted and abandoned because of their gender. The United Nations estimates as many as 200 million girls are missing in the world today because of this so-called "gendercide".

Shot on location in India and China, the film It's A Girl reveals the issue. It tells the stories of abandoned and trafficked girls, of women who suffer extreme dowry-related violence, of brave mothers fighting to save their daughters' lives, and of mothers who would kill for a son. Global experts and grassroots activists put the stories in context and advocate many paths towards change.

And check out the following titles on women's rights at the Toronto Public Library: