Governor General hosts International Women’s Day Round Table with Women Leaders

March 8, 2023

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, marked International Women’s Day (IWD) with a round-table discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with the Women Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Ottawa.

The event aligned with this year’s United Nations theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.

To set the tone for the day and the discussion, the Governor General first shared an important message on social media.

The round table brought together women heads of mission, public figures, academics, representatives from related civil society organizations, and a select group of journalists who are actively seeking to raise awareness of the impact toxic online discourse has on women in leadership and engagement roles.

This unique event explored the importance of women in leadership positions, the challenges they face, and what society can do to create safe and inclusive spaces for respectful public discourse, free of toxicity.

The round table encouraged dialogue and nurtured a sense of shared purpose from women leaders.

An Inuk Elder wearing traditional clothing holds her hand above a lit qulliq (oil lamp) as part of its inaugural lighting ceremony at Rideau Hall.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-012
A group of women at round tables in the Tent Room at Rideau Hall.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-024
Governor General Simon speaks at a podium in the Tent Room at Rideau Hall during an International Women's Day event.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-025
A woman stands at a podium and speaks into a microphone in the Tent Room at Rideau Hall. A group of women sit in the foreground, listening to her speak.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-040
A group of women engage in conversation at a round table with Governor General Simon, in the Tent Room at Rideau Hall.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-049
A view from the top of the Tent Room at Rideau Hall shows groups of women sitting at round tables. They are all engaged in discussion.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-076
A group of women engage in conversation at a round table with Governor General Simon, in the Tent Room at Rideau Hall.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-081
A group of women engage in conversation at a round table with Governor General Simon, in the Tent Room at Rideau Hall.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-083
A group of women engage in conversation with Governor General Simon, in the Tent Room at Rideau Hall.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-110
A group of women engage in conversation in the Tent Room at Rideau Hall.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-126
A group of women engage in conversation with Governor General Simon, in the Tent Room at Rideau Hall.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-132
A group of approximately 40 women pose with Governor General Simon for a photo in the Ballroom at Rideau Hall. They are gathered in front of a large painting.

Governor General Mary Simon hosted a roundtable discussion at Rideau Hall, in partnership with Women Heads of Mission in Canada, in honour of International Women’s Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0032-133

Related Content