Last week we celebrated Human Rights Day. Globally, UNSA国际影视传媒檚 theme was about equality: SA国际影视传媒淩educing inequalities, advancing human rights.SA国际影视传媒� Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: SA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒淎ll human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.SA国际影视传媒� LetSA国际影视传媒檚 look at some history before reflecting on what we can do, collectively, to advance human rights.

Every year, Human Rights Day is observed on December 10. The day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This milestone document is the most translated document in the world, and you can find it in 530 languages. The thirty articles of this document proclaim, SA国际影视传媒渢he inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.SA国际影视传媒�

The world has changed since 1948. There is no doubt there have been many gains, accomplishments and victories won over the decadesSA国际影视传媒� thanks to all those who have paved the way for generations to come. But our work is far from finished. The strive towards human rights and equality continues. Inequalities are more dangerous than any pandemicSA国际影视传媒� and a just recovery from COVID 19 necessitates all segments of the population whether globally, nationally or locally be included. No individual can be left behind.

For the past, almost two years, we hear this everyday: weSA国际影视传媒檙e going through difficult times. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 true. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e been going through difficult times; everyone has gone through challenges during the pandemic. But the truth is that it has been more difficult for some segments of the population than others. Today, vaccinations are not available to everyone in all nationsSA国际影视传媒� due to global inequalities. Vaccine poverty is real. In the battle against the pandemic, itSA国际影视传媒檚 not sufficient to have populations in wealthy nations be fully vaccinatedSA国际影视传媒� because weSA国际影视传媒檙e all affected.

Global decision makers and leaders have a major role to play, but collectively, weSA国际影视传媒檙e all responsible. Human rights defenders around the world are changing peoples lives. LetSA国际影视传媒檚 never underestimate the power of each action, petition, letter, social media post, rally, etc. in defending human rights and in solidarity of communities and individuals at risk.

Canadians are champions of defending human rights, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 crucial to not turn a blind eye to whatSA国际影视传媒檚 happening at home. Nationally, Canada is not immune from inequalities. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e all witnessed the SA国际影视传媒榙ifficult times.SA国际影视传媒� But theySA国际影视传媒檙e more difficult for communities and individuals facing systemic discrimination and inequalities.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 2021, and many women and members of the LGBTQ2+ communities continue to face inequalities and violence that affects their lives at home, school and/or work. Families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are still waiting for justice.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 2021, and Indigenous communities in the North continue to battle food insecurity. The rates of household food insecurity in the North are appalling: 16.9%, 21.6% and 57% in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut respectively. Communities, families, children, and individuals are not numbers.

Politicians, from all parties, play a major role in ensuring that there is no place for inequalities on this land, Canada. But itSA国际影视传媒檚 our collective responsibility to hold them accountable as well as working together to end all forms of inequalities and discrimination.

WeSA国际影视传媒檝e won many victories on the path of human rights and social justice, but our work and struggles continue. I do believe that together, weSA国际影视传媒檙e able to create real change that makes our world a better place for us and generations to come. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 almost 2022, time for a reset, letSA国际影视传媒檚 pledge to combat inequalities and defend human rights at home, in our communities and in our nations.