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As International Women’s Day approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about the phrase “Give to Gain.”
Across Canada and around the world, there are women who give up far more than we often acknowledge in order to speak the truth. Sometimes it is their own truth. Sometimes it is the uncomfortable truth about public policy, extremism, or injustice. Either way, they speak knowing there may be consequences.
And when speaking your mind leads to death threats, bounties, harassment, or worse, that is not just hate speech or intimidation, it is political violence meant to silence free expression.
Too often we think this only happens somewhere else.
We think of women in Afghanistan or Iran who are punished or killed for speaking freely. We think of journalists or activists in distant places who face repression. We assume those dangers belong to other countries.
But this week reminds us that it can happen here too.
Many people know that I have experienced threats myself. Death threats. Stalking. Police protection. I had fear that made constantly look over my shoulder. It is frightening and changed the way I lived and worked while leaving trauma to settle in.
And this week, Canada was reminded that the danger is real.
A Canadian social media influencer, Nancy Grewal, was murdered after speaking out about Khalistani extremism. In Canada she spoke her mind and lost her life. What she gave must never be forgotten.
Another example is my former colleague @gghamari , whose family fled Iran to find freedom in Canada. She became a legislator and continues to speak out against the Iranian regime. For that courage, there is now reportedly a $250,000 bounty on her head. The intent is obvious: intimidate her, frighten her, silence her.
That is unequivocally unCanadian.
International Women’s Day is often a moment of celebration, and it should be. Women have broken barriers, led movements, and changed societies. But it should also be a moment of reckoning.
Strong women only become vulnerable when society looks away.
If a woman can be threatened in Canada for her views, then any of us can be. If a woman can be targeted for speaking the truth as she sees it, then free expression itself is at risk, in our country.
That is why the spirit of Give to Gain is important.
Some women are giving far more than they ever expected and their safety, careers, and in the most tragic cases, their lives are at risk. They give these things simply by choosing to speak.
The least we can do is ensure their sacrifice is not in vain.
So before we celebrate International Women’s Day, take a moment to think about the women who stand up for their beliefs whether you agree with them or not. The right to speak freely is not reserved for those we agree with. It is the foundation of a free society.
If they are giving their courage for our freedom, then we must give them something in return. Namely our commitment to defend the right to speak. That is unequivocally Canadian.
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