International Women’s Day
March 8, 2012
101st IWD
Whether we use the words celebrate or commemorate; IWD is to recognize the role that Women have played in society to move social justice issues, family issues, and labour issues forward to better everyone.
Some would say that Women have achieved equality, that we no longer have to recognize women as a disadvantaged group in society. We know that statistics show that World wide there is 1 female born for every 107 males. However:
Pay Equity, employment equity, child care, domestic violence and violence against women, women’s health services, women’s safety initiatives, and glass ceilings are all issues where women are still behind. Not to mention that Women of Colour, Aboriginal Women, women that are differently abled, Lesbian or transitioning women have even more of an uphill struggle to find equity and justice in society at large but also in our workplaces.
The first IWD was held on March 19, 1911 in Germany, Austria, Denmark and some other European countries. This date was chosen by German women because, on that date in 1848, the Prussian king, faced with an armed uprising, had promised many reforms, including an unfulfilled one of votes for women. A million leaflets calling for action on the right to vote were distributed throughout Germany before IWD in 1911.
During International Women’s Year in 1975, IWD was given official recognition by the United Nations and was taken up by many governments who had not previously known of its existence.
In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women’s rights and international peace. Following the United Nations’ lead, Canada chose March 8 as International Women’s Day.
This year Canada is considering Women in rural, remote and Northern communities as the key to strong economic prosperity.
Each year at this time, Canadians celebrate progress toward equality for women and their full participation, reflect on the challenges and barriers that remain, and consider future steps to achieving equality for all women, in all aspects of their lives.
Over time, International Women’s Day has grown into a week-long series of commemorative events and activities across the country. International Women’s Week 2012 begins on Sunday, March 4 and wraps up on Saturday, March 10.
CLC-Work It campaign-Ottawa-March 6, 2012
BC Federation of Labour-Celebrating Women-Vancouver-March 10, 2012
Alberta Federation of Labour-
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour
Manitoba Federation of Labour-Sisters in Focus brief history-March 8, 2012
Ontario Federation of Labour-Rising Up-Toronto-March 3, 2012
Quebec Federation of Labour-le feminism? Plus actuel que jamais-Montreal-March 8, 2012
New Brunswick Federation of Labour-Women gathering in local communities-March 8, 2012
Nova Scotia Federation of Labour-Women gathering in local communities-March 8, 2012
PEI Federation of Labour – campaign to support universal public child care-Recent convention mandate
Newfoundland and Labrador –
Yukon Federation of Labour-IWD award recipient Joanne Oberg-March 8, 2012
Northern Territories Federation of Labour-Celebrating March 8, 2012