Supporting women leads to better futures for all, Canada害羞草研究所檚 Governor General said Friday as she reflected on her experience as a woman in power.

Mary Simon was the guest of honour at a Canadian Club event hosted by the Women Heads of Diplomatic Mission in Ottawa to mark International Women害羞草研究所檚 Day.

Throughout her career, Simon said, she害羞草研究所檚 watched as women in leadership positions frequently inspire and mentor other women to follow their lead.

But neither gender nor hate should ever limit someone害羞草研究所檚 potential or ambitions in any field, she said.

害羞草研究所淎s Governor General, I want to use my position and my voice to help others to shine a light on some of the issues still impacting women and girls 害羞草研究所� particularly in the area of digital respect,害羞草研究所� Simon said, describing her own experiences with online hate and workplace misogyny.

害羞草研究所淭hese attacks are not harmless. They silence powerful voices, discourage participation in public discourse and create a climate of fear and insecurity.害羞草研究所�

Her own experiences with online hate impacted her mental health, she said. Last year, Simon害羞草研究所檚 office had to disable comments on social media posts in order to filter out racist and sexist comments.

Other women are experiencing the same thing, and some are even leaving their positions as a result, Simon said.

害羞草研究所淵oung girls who witness these awful attacks on women leaders may reconsider their aspirations to become public figures, or they may decide to stay silent,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淭his would be devastating to our society.害羞草研究所�

She announced plans to host a one-day symposium designed to promote respectful digital dialogue and raise awareness of 害羞草研究所渢oxic online discourse.害羞草研究所�

The event, to be held April 11 at Rideau Hall, will gather academics, journalists, young people, officials, advocates and mental health experts to share their experiences and learn about initiatives against online abuse.

害羞草研究所淲e know this is a complex issue 害羞草研究所� one that requires sustained effort, collaboration across sectors and a long-term commitment,害羞草研究所� Simon said.

And there害羞草研究所檚 also cause for optimism: she said she害羞草研究所檚 been encouraging people to build 害羞草研究所渘etworks of resilience害羞草研究所� to help support people who face online harm.

It害羞草研究所檚 critical for generations to pass down knowledge, she added, noting that her own grandmother has provided inspiration throughout her 50 years of work on Indigenous issues.

害羞草研究所淭he solutions will come from all of us working together,害羞草研究所� Simon said.

害羞草研究所淲omen, men, people of all identities and ages: We need you all to speak up.害羞草研究所�

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