Women’s Day 2022: Break the Bias by Taking Steps Toward Progress — By Monica Bassili

LadiesCorner Women’s

Day 2022

BREAK THE BIAS BY TAKING STEPS TOWARD PROGRESS BY MONICA BASSILI

Monica Bassili

uesday, March 8th, 2022, marks International Women’s Day globally. The theme this year is Break the Bias. Although widely known, Women’s Day did not appear overnight. The early 1900’s saw women relentlessly working towards gender equality, yet, today, similar issues persist. For example, women in Canada have advocated for the change for generations, yet Canada only recognized Women’s Day in 1991.

In 1991, Canadian women established the Canadian Women’s Foundation to promote and maintain social, economic, and political gender equality. Nancy Ruth Jackman and Susan Woods are credited with starting a women’s movement in Canada in 1986. The story of Canadian efforts for gender equality showcases effective democracy, leadership, and ultimately grassroots organizing.

The groundwork for the Canadian Women’s Founda-

Ttion began in 1986, in which Jackman and Woods are described as “eating lunch and chatting about possibilities.” Among the many successes produced by Jackman and Woods, the establishment of the Canadian Women’s Foundation served to solidify gender equality within Canadian federalism. The foundation currently provides services and resources for domestic violence, poverty, women and girls’ health and actively voices the concerns and needs of Canadian women.

The Starting Point?

Since 2000, female migrants to Canada have consistently outnumbered male migrants. A growing number of migrants are settling in Canada and must be incorporated into the discourses about Canadian women’s justice and rights. The starting point for gender equality must acknowledge the diversity of Canadian women and the diverse cultures, languages, needs, concerns,