International Women鈥檚 Day was born more than 100 years ago and continues today through the hearts of women who persevered through strikes, fights and demonstrations for the right to vote, fair wages and decent working conditions.
These words come from the global organization that promotes International Women鈥檚 Day, which recognizes the struggle is not over. The theme chosen this year is 鈥淓ach for Equal,鈥� which asks how each person will help forge a gender-equal world.
Although International Women鈥檚 Day is celebrated on March 8, this year the SAFE Society will hold its celebratory coffee house on Thursday, March 5, at the Shuswap Pie Company.
Running from 5 to 7 p.m., the free event will feature live music by Making Do, guest speaker Dee Lewis from Shuswap Women in Business, interactive displays, presentations, door prizes and more. Everyone is welcome.
鈥淒omestic violence is one of the most stark ways we continue to see women鈥檚 inequality play out,鈥� says Paige Hilland of the SAFE Society. 鈥淰iolence against women and girls and other gender-based violence still continues to be a pervasive problem in Canada and around the world. We have seen a shift in thinking in recent years that recognizes that violence against women is not just a women鈥檚 issue and we must all work together to eradicate it. This can include actions such as challenging gender roles to calling out sexist behaviour when we see it; it also means supporting and believing survivors of domestic and sexual violence.鈥�
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Suggestions for individual action from International Women鈥檚 Day global organizers include a number of options. Celebrate women鈥檚 achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.
鈥淎n equal world is an enabled world. Individually, we鈥檙e all responsible for our own thoughts and actions 鈥� all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women鈥檚 achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world,鈥� they state.
Shuswap Pie Company is located at 331 Alexander St. No tickets needed.
Both the United Nations and the Government of Canada recognize March 8 as International Women鈥檚 Day.
The United Nations states: 鈥淚nternational Women鈥檚 Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men.鈥�
marthawickett@saobserver.net
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