WOMAN.ca Celebrates International Women's Day

A Cross-Canada Guide to IWD Events

I grew up in Poland in the '80s, where March 8th, International Women's Day, was widely celebrated as a sort of one sided Valentine's Day. It was a time for men to thank the women in their lives for doing all that they do everyday. They bought flowers, perhaps pastry, the more sensitive (and skilled) maybe even made dinner. Sons drew pictures for their mothers and boys in grade school would stay after school to make cards for their "fair sex" classmates, under the watchful eye of their female teachers. Their mothers, of course, made sure they had a little token of gratitude for the aforementioned educators.

It took a Canadian adolescence to make me aware of the deeper issues with these seemingly sweet gestures. It seems a dissonance to remind your husband to buy his mother her favourite blooms on a day borne of a "sisters are doing it for themselves" movement.

Inaugurated in 1911, International Women's Day was a day of protest and action. Women the world over took to the streets, held meetings, rallied to exact a better future for themselves and their daughters. They demanded better wages, better working conditions and above all, the right to vote. I urge you today to fight for what you wish "our daughters" to take for granted, commit to vote in the next election, and resist the comforting but dangerous idea that women's rights have all been won. Thank your mother, sign a petition for women less privileged, speak up. Celebrate the women that paved the way by exercising the rights for which they struggled.

In the spirit in which this day was intended, we should take a moment to reflect on what is important to each of us and take a first or next step toward improving our collective reality. Here are some suggestions to celebrate the day, rally for a better future, or volunteer your time to a worthy cause.

Sincerely,

Magda Majewska, Special Contribution to WOMAN.ca

Events

Ottawa
March 6, 2009
International Women's Day Forum
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
IDRC Head Office 150 Kent St, Ottawa, ON, 8th Floor

Toronto
March 7, 2009
Women Lead the Fight!! Good Jobs and Dignity for All!
Rally - 11:00 am
March - 1:00 pm
Fair - 1:30 pm
252 Bloor St West - OISE auditorium / Fair at Ryerson, 55 Gould St

Additional Toronto Events

Halifax/Dartmouth
March 5, 2009
International Women's Day Conference
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Holiday Inn Harbourview, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Calgary
March 2, 2009
Women of the World Lunch hosted by Calgary Immigrant Women's Association
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Calgary

Vancouver
March 8, 2009
Sisterhood celebration, A Woman's Place is Everywhere!
09:00 am - 4:00 pm
Workers Arts & Heritage Centre, Vancouver

Multi City event
Women in Film and Television International Short Film Showcase
Celebrating International Women's Day

For additional Canadian events please see the official International Women's Day website.

Organizations

IDRC - Women's Rights and Citizenship

Canadian women's foundation

Care Canada

Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter

Women's Legal Education and Action Fund