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Canada's Prime Minister Explains Why Being A Feminist Is So Important

"I believe that we need to make sure that we have pay equity and gender equality right across the board."
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By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau proudly proclaimed that he is a feminist during a global town hall that The Huffington Post Canada hosted on the eve of International Women's Day.

"I myself am a feminist and I believe that we need to make sure that we have pay equity and gender equality right across the board," he said.

The 44-year-old Liberal leader has emphasized women's rights as a top priority for his party since he assumed office in November, and has encouraged his cabinet ministers -- 15 women and 15 men -- to do the same.

Trudeau dominated headlines late last year when a reporter asked why it was so important for him to appoint Canada's first-ever gender-balanced Cabinet on the day of his inauguration. "Because it's 2015," he replied, without hesitation.

The leader swiftly promised to launch a national inquiry into the thousands of indigenous women who have gone missing or been murdered in Canada over the decades -- a move that former prime minister Stephen Harper opposed, despite a public outcry.

Canada ranks 30th out of 145 countries for gender equality, two places behind the U.S., according to the World Economic Forum.

The WEF predicted it would take another 117 years to close the global economic gender gap, noted HuffPost reader Bushra Ebadi, who asked Trudeau what Canada would do to expedite the process.

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Chris So/Toronto Star/Getty Images

Trudeau pointed to the need for legislative and social changes to advance gender equality. Women succeed and excel with equal opportunity and support, he said.

"How we look at education in schools, how we look at how we raise young women and men to see that the future is there for each and every one of them. How we crack down on patriarchal thinking and gender-based violence," he told HuffPost Canada. "I mean, there’s an entire social change that has to go, that goes through women’s reproductive rights as well and a range of other things."

In an editorial that appeared in The Globe and Mail on Tuesday, Trudeau praised his country's strides toward gender parity, but stressed there is "a lot of hard work" left to do.

"Quite simply, we must do more," he wrote in the Canadian newspaper. "We should not be afraid of the word feminism ... Equality is not a threat, it is an opportunity."

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Before You Go

Images That Prove Anyone Can Be A Feminist
Goldini: "Rapper, Portlander, International Man of Mystery"(01 of09)
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“Why do I consider myself a feminist? It’s 2016. Do I really need to explain why I support equal rights?”
 (credit:Jules Davies for Wildfang)
Fatmah: "Afro-Arab, Muslim American, Social Justice Activist, Student"(02 of09)
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“I think some may be surprised to hear that I identify as feminist depending on how they define it and whether or not they see my hijab as a symbol for feminism or oppression. Feminism to me is being able to remove all the checked boxes that ‘define’ a person based on cultural expectations and societal norms, and being able to define yourself based on your own values and ideologies. We live in a time of injustice, inequitable access, and hatred towards different identities. As a country that constantly talks about equal rights and justice, we’ve failed, and we must change that.” (credit:Jules Davies for Wildfang)
Erik: "Dad and Husband, Bird and Big Game Hunter, Gardner, Home Brewer"(03 of09)
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“I am a Republican man so some (false) stereotypes might suggest that I cannot also be a feminist, but I thoroughly support the idea of equal opportunity for all women. The term feminist has picked up ‘radical’ connotations in the past, but to me equality isn’t radical.” (credit:Jules Davies for Wildfang)
Alicia: "Miss Arizona, Model, Singer and Sun Devil"(04 of09)
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“I probably get judged for being a beauty queen, but being a feminist isn’t about what job you do or how you look, it’s about treating each other with respect and allowing each person to make their own choices without being held back or restricted.”
 (credit:Jules Davies for Wildfang)
Michael: "Minister, Faith-Based Organizer for Wall Street, Dr. Who Obsessed"(05 of09)
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“Sadly, the Christian church, for almost its entire history, has too often been used to justify and bolster patriarchy, racism, and inequality. Because of this, the church has become synonymous with all these evils for many people, and sometimes they are surprised to hear the true spiritual life of compassion and equality articulated by a Christian Minister. But my read of the scriptures leads me to believe that Jesus himself was a feminist, so how can I not do my best to follow this example?”
 (credit:Jules Davies for Wildfang)
Elle: "Stripper, Activist, Mother, Writer"(06 of09)
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“People don’t understand that sex work is a true model for how consent SHOULD work… I provide access to my time and body in exchange for money. I am a gatekeeper for this access, and my clients do not receive service if they do not respect me or my boundaries.”
 (credit:Jules Davies for Wildfang)
Ace: "Samoan Family Man, Believer in Strong Family Values, Passionate about Life"(07 of09)
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“When society hears ‘feminist’ they automatically see a woman, not a man. What people fail to realize is feminism is a movement and a belief that supports the equality of women. I can only hope that when my three daughters are out in the real world on their own, they are judged based on experience, education, their morals and beliefs, and not on their gender.”
 (credit:Jules Davies for Wildfang)
Jeremy(left): "Transguy, Typewriter Troubadour, Advocate" // Shannon(right): "Assistant Principal, LGBTQIA+ Activist, Mama"(08 of09)
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Jeremy: “Calling myself a feminist helps me to redefine what it means to be a man, how to be an ally to women, people of color, LGBTQ and other marginalized groups of people.”

Shannon: “I am a feminist because I recognize that oppression of women has lead to many of the downfalls of contemporary American culture. When hearing from women leading movements, we hear change must happen. When hearing from women of color, we hear even more radical change must occur. When listening to trans and queer women of color, we hear a call to action and call to social justice that involves every institution our country is built upon. There is no other way to heal from the past that does not include listening to those most oppressed.” (credit:Jules Davies for Wildfang)
Leah: "12 Years Old, Biologist/Activist in the making, Type 1 Diabetic, Hip Hop Nerd of Minecraft"(09 of09)
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“Some people think young girls can’t have opinions or be activists. I am a feminist because I believe gender does not matter, we should all be equals. We are all humans; living, using, and relying on this earth.” (credit:Jules Davies for Wildfang)
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