Vancouver International Women’s Day event cancelled after province’s warning to avoid crowds

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — An International Women’s Day event in Vancouver has been cancelled after the B.C.’s top doctor advised against attending large gatherings Saturday.

Care Canada’s annual Walk in Her Shoes event has been called off, with organizers citing concerns over COVID-19 as the reason.

Dr. Bonnie Henry announced six new cases in B.C. Saturday morning.

“At this time I’m asking people to consider having virtual gatherings, to consider not coming together, particularly if you have people in your gathering who are elderly,” she said.

The annual fundraiser was scheduled for Sunday morning at Creekside Community Centre.

It raises money for women in the developing world by bringing people together to walk 10,000 steps, as a way of showing how far women and girls have to trek to access necessities.

“Women and girls in developing countries walk an average of seven kilometres every day to collect essentials such as water and food for their families, leaving little time to go to school or earn money,” explains the organization’s website.

The organization is heeding Henry’s advice, and urging supporters to some together for the cause virtually.

“CARE Canada invites citizens to support this very worthwhile cause by making a donation; and if safe to do so, walk 10,000 steps tomorrow locally, take photos, and post on social media tagging @carecanada and using the hashtags #walkinhershoes, #VancouverWalks, #IWD2020. We can still support women, girls, families, and entire communities around the globe,” reads a statement from the organization.

Money raised at this year’s event will go to Southern African Nutrition Initiative in Malawi.