In keeping with tomorrow’s International Women’s Day theme, Nandi Outerbridge is encouraging people to be “bold for Change”.

The Minister of Social Development and Sports is also urging everyone to “make a pledge to carry out at least one action to help progress women’s equality”.

Although there have been some positive gains in women’s equality, full gender parity has still not been realised in a number of areas, the Ministry said in a statement.

“For example, a gender pay gap persists across the globe and women are still not represented in equal numbers in business or politics.

“The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2016 finds that, after a dramatic slowdown in progress, economic parity between the sexes could take another 170 years — to 2186.

“Minister Outerbridge encourages everyone, not only women, to be bold for change and make a pledge to carry out at least one action to help progress women’s equality on International Women’s Day and going forward.”

The statement suggested this could be done by challenging bias and inequality, campaigning against violence, forging women’s advancement, celebrating women’s achievements and championing women’s education. “International Women’s Day represents an important opportunity to advocate for necessary change and each one of us — women and men — is encouraged to take bold pragmatic action to accelerate a more inclusive gender equal world,” it added.

International Women’s Day is observed worldwide on March 8 to celebrate the social, political and economic achievements of women while calling for gender equality.

Bermuda will participate with a peaceful one-mile walk through Hamilton, starting at City Hall at 12pm and ending in Par-la-Ville Park.

Brown bag lunches will be available from Bulli Social for $10 and the proceeds will go to the Women’s Resource Centre.

The event is being organised by the Bermuda Women’s Day Committee and Ernst & Young is the main sponsor.

“Around the world, International Women’s Day is an important catalyst and vehicle for driving greater change for women and moving closer to gender parity,” organisers said in a statement.

“Everyone is encouraged to come join in this year’s event and share ideas on how we can make a difference in Bermuda, contributing towards #planet5050.”

• For a more complete listing of positive actions, visit the International Women’s Day website www.internationalwomensday.com