Happy International Women’s Day!
On the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, each of us should reflect on the reality of the society that we live in today, recognizing that the aims of feminism certainly have not been achieved in full. We have a long way to go.The theme of this year's international women's day is equal access to education, training and science, and technology, the "pathway to decent work for women."
This year should especially resonate with college and university students, as it directly calls into question the conditions of the various workforces they seek to enter upon completion of their respective programs and job training.
A study was recently released, which showed that only 17% of CEOs of major corporations are women. Only 22% of members of parliament in Canada are women. And last year, Statistics Canada removed the question that would track and put a price tag on women's work inside the home.
Sociologists and others who study demographic trends have recently suggested that women in the modern world are facing a backlash to the equitable gains sought by the three waves of feminism in the past century.
One might ask: what is a feminist? I believe it is someone who champions the cause of equality. Is it relevant to still have an international women's day, some might ask? Indeed, I think it is important while women still earn 29% less than men for the same job. I think it is important in light of the unequal divide of politically represented genders.
I also think it is especially important to recognize women annually in the international community, in developing countries where many women still do not have access to universal health-care, including reproductive rights, as well as education and protection against domestic violence.
This year, women and men together should take the time to consider the implications of a growing movement on International Women's Day, with the recognition that we cannot give up what we have gained here in Canada, because, for our sisters overseas and across the globe, their battle is just beginning.
By: Nicole Birch-Bayley is majoring in English. She is currently studying in the Laurentian University program at Georgian College