WHEREAS International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women; and

WHEREAS International Women's Day is one of the most important days of the year to:

• celebrate women's achievements
• educate and awareness raise for women's equality
• call for positive change advancing women
• lobby for accelerated gender parity
• fundraise for female-focused charities

AND WHEREAS the International Women's Day 2025 campaign theme is "Accelerate Action" because at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 to reach full gender parity.

AND WHEREAS "Accelerate Action" emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality and calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, Shawn Pankow, Mayor of the Town of Smiths Falls hereby proclaims March 5th International Women's Day in the Town of Smiths Falls.

AND FURTHER THAT everyone, everywhere can play a part in helping forge gender equality.