By March, the worst of the winter is over hopefully. We hope that wherever you are, the snow is melting, the rivers are beginning to run, and the natural world is waking itself from winter. With this sense of anew, we observe special dates this month, such as Nutrition month, International Women day, International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and National Tuberculosis Day
Nutrition: A Focus for the Entire Month
For over 30 years, Nutrition Month has reached millions of Canadians, making it the profession’s most visible public awareness campaign. It began as a “Nutrition Week” with a small group of community dietitians in the late 1970s. Each year, a theme is selected by Dietitians of Canada based on the environment and with input from members. Dietitians will explore the key “ingredients” needed for a healthier tomorrow and improving people’s health during Nutrition Month 2022. Plan a Nutrition Month Activity from Dietitians of Canada can be found here
Click here to learn more about Nutrition Month
International Women’s Day March 8th
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the globe. This day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality The purpose of the International Women’s Day website is to support the supporters, and in doing so it provides a platform to help forge positive change for women.
The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias So let’s all #ChooseToChallenge. Click here to learn more about International Women’s Day.
International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination March 21st
In 1966, the United Nations proclaimed March 21st as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. While there has been some progress with respect to racial justice, racism persists in Canadian society, there has also been some erosion of human rights over the past decade. Racialized people continue to be under-represented at decision-making levels in various sectors including, but not limited to, the workplaces, the media, the criminal justice system and the political arena. Racialized workers may also experience many micro-aggressions on a daily basis (e.g. negative comments about their food, culture, appearances, etc.), often based on stereotypes and prejudices.
Click here to learn more about International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
World Tuberculosis Day
World Tuberculosis Day is observed annually on 24 March to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. Like Covid, Tuberculosis is spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing, which releases tiny droplets into the air. While there are are many other similarities between Covid and TB, there is one important significance, TB eradication is possible.
For more information about World Tuberculosis Day click here, and continue reading below to get the basics on TB and considering joining in on March 24th to raise awareness on TB.