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I am a Canadian Special Operations Veteran, married to a very competent & confident female Navy Veteran, & the father of two very competent & confident daughters. We have progressed, but we are not done yet. I look forward to the day when girls do not have to say things like they were raised "as a good son even though I am a girl."
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I come from a generation where our parents didn't necessarily talk to us or teach us about this, so we kind of learned as we were going along. I believe in being there for your daughters, talking to them, letting them know that you're available, & to listen to them as well. Also, don't be embarrassed going into Shoppers Drug Mart!
I've not had to think too much about being a girl, but this is a good way for us men to understand some of the things they go through & what they have to carry around all their lives. Even if it feels a little uncomfortable, we must be mindful of what girls go through for their whole entire life.
I got my daughter prepared for her period by getting her to read books about her body, making sure she understands. I check in with her every once in a while to make sure she's comfortable. It's all about for supporting her & letting her know how comfortable & confident she should be in herself.
I think it’s very important to stand up for the rights of girls & women because I want her to have equal opportunities. Whether it’s sports, education, careers, or leadership, you want her to have the same chances as anyone else, not limited by gender.
I believe it's important for girl dads like me to stand up for the rights of our daughters because I’ve had to raise my daughter a significant period of her life as a single dad & this is literally what I do everyday.
As a civil litigation lawyer, being a ‘Girl Dad’ is not just a title to me, it’s a responsibility. I am a father to two incredible young girls, & I see the world through their eyes every day. I want them, & every girl in Halton, to grow up in a community where they feel safe, respected, & free to become whoever they choose to be.
I’m a teacher, & I want to show my daughter that I am Strong Like a Girl & model the kind of behaviors I want to see, from her. I am exposing her to all types of different things, like there's no such things as girl toys & boy toys, it's all about what you're good at.
I think we should all be aware of how girls’ development helps us have a better & stronger society. Periods are totally normal, & everything else that's going on with their bodies through adolescence is also normal. We have to support them, both as parents & as members of our community.
I think we have to be more supportive of our girls. Periods should be normalized, they're a part of life, just how women & girls’ bodies work. While we shouldn’t have to do awareness campaigns to normalize this, until everyone has access & support, this is just the way it has to be, we must be here to support our girls.
We need to normalize women having their monthly periods (or semi-monthly) because it's not always regular. I try to show up for my daughter for everything & anything that I can because it's very important that she has male role models as well as female role models that support her with just being a girl & going through everything that she has to go through.
Proud to be part of Strong Like a Girl and grateful for events that remind us to show up for the girls in our lives.
This is an effort to align myself with a reality: support systems like this are necessary because not all women and girls are safe, supported, or heard and community action directly changes that outcome.
I think that it's terrible that a lot of girls around the world have to internalize their feelings & experiences about periods & just pretend everything is business as usual, where obviously there's a lot going on. The more we can do to support them, the community around them, not just our immediate family, I believe they will thrive.
Being a Girl Dad changes how you see everything. You start to notice the things you might have overlooked before, Be it the quiet barriers, the safety concerns, the moments where girls are told to be smaller, quieter, less, and you realize that “good enough” isn’t good enough when it’s your daughter who will have to live with it.
What is Period Parity?
For any girl, the onset of her period is a significant time in her life. At its heart, period parity is about dignity and choice, as it includes access to period products, accurate information, and supportive spaces without shame or stigma. Period parity gives girls the knowledge and language to understand their bodies from a young age, increasing their confidence and helping support safety in relationships. It helps girls ask questions, recognise what feels right, set boundaries and advocate for themselves as they grow into young women. Period parity also plays a vital role in relationship safety later in life. When girls are taught about their bodies in open and affirming ways, knowing their bodies makes it easier to recognise unhealthy dynamics and advocate for care, respect, and autonomy. Her body knowledge becomes a form of protection, uplifting her and increasing her self-respect.
Who We Are at The Women's Centre of Halton
The Women’s Centre of Halton is dedicated to ensuring all women have the opportunity to live with dignity, safety, and fulfillment. Founded in 1989, The Centre provides free programs and services that support women through life transitions, including barrier-free access to supportive programs and services for women experiencing crisis, transition, or distress, offering a compassionate and confidential environment. We are thankful to the Halton community for coming together and helping one more woman find her self, find her home, find her Centre.
Between April 1 and 30, go to Oakville Place at Guest Services to donate period products. Take a photo when you make your donation and tag us when you post to Instagram!
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