Hello my friends and happy International Women's Day.

Sophie and I are proud feminists and are raising our daughter and our son to believe that an equal world is a better and more powerful world.

Today we joined people all over the globe to celebrate the remarkable achievements that women have made in every sector and sphere.

Canada's history is full of incredible women from Thérèse Casgrain to Viola Desmond to Nellie Cournoyea, who deserve recognition and applause.

We have achieved real progress in advancing women's equality, especially in the past decades and much of that progress is due to the tireless and passionate efforts women.

For on International Women's Day, we must remember that there is still much work to do.

Women around the world receive lower pay and fewer promotions.

They're denied legal control over their bodies and their reproductive health.

They face much higher rates of violence, harassment and verbal, physical and sexual assault.

All of these issues are compounded for indigenous women, women of color and trans women.

This year, Canada's theme for International Women's Day is equality matters. I hope we take this to heart and let it motivate our words and actions.

Let's not forget the essential role that men have to play to advance gender equality in our society.

On International Women's Day, let's honour the remarkable women in our lives and in our history.

And today and everyday, let's work together towards a more positive, just and equal world.