Why is International Women’s Day (IWD2019) Important? (3 min read)
Happy #internationalwomensday to everyone! This is an #importantday around the globe and one that we should all recognize.
#iwd is celebrated on March 8 as homage to the date that women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, and March 8 became a holiday there. The day then was adopted in 1975 by the United Nations.
It is a day that is: a public holiday, ignored, and a day of protest depending on where you may be in the world.
However, today is a day that we #celebratewomanhood and deservedly so, as well as every day.
I thought I would share some significant dates in Canada to show how recent #women were still not seen as equals by law.
1982 - the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is enacted.
1983 - the passing of Bill C-127 makes sexual assault (and rape) within the context of marriage a crime.
1985 - Sections 15 and 28 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms come into effect, establishing the constitutional right to #equality where the government cannot #discriminate based on sex or orientation.
These are just some of the dates from Canada alone. For myself, these dates affect many loved ones, my mother, aunts, grandmother, etc. These powerful women in my life did not experience #equality by law.
We are still a far way from #genderequality and #genderequity but many are helping us move in the right direction.
Please reach out to someone that is a strong or powerful #woman in your life and let them knowwhat they mean to you and that you support equality.
Let’s continue to be #champions for #women around the world and celebrate this important day!