March 8th is International Women’s Day. A day to reflect on our success in building equality for women, and a day to take stock on what issues are next to tackle.
We’ve won some important symbolic victories in the last year – we elected more women to Parliament, and more women to Alberta’s Legislature than ever before. Canada is proceeding with a much needed inquiry into the thousands of missing and murdered aboriginal women.
But there is still much progress to be made.
IWD was originally called “International Working Women’s Day” when it first happened in 1909, as it was called to remember a strike by members of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union. In that spirit, I want to look at the issues facing working women today.
Canada is still without a national child care plan, something that would make it easier for women to pursue a career and motherhood should they choose to. Child care lifts families out of poverty, as it allows mothers (and all parents) more options to support their families. According to the Globe and Mail, women in Canada make, on average, $8,000 less than men doing an equivalent job.
You can take a small action today – click here to ‘Make a Pledge for Parity’ and be sure to follow-up that pledge with action.