International Women's Day: March 8, 2008

YWCA Vancouver is pleased to be celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8. Inaugurated in 1911, IWD is a celebration connecting women around the world and inspiring them to achieve their full potential. Every year, thousands of events take place globally to honour women and celebrate their achievements.

We interviewed five women, with different backgrounds and experiences, about what this day means to them: Emily Koert, a registered clinical counselor; Pia Penketh, a health and safety activist; Awet Gebrehiwot, a mother and YWCA staff; Paula Cole, a mother of five who went back to school in her 40’s; and Mary Erqasheva, the founder of the Center for Women-Leaders in her home country, Uzbekistan.

Why is International Women’s Day important to you?

Emily: It celebrates the experiences that unite us as women, while still honouring the differences that make us unique and special.

Pia: It is important to recognize women who are very focused in what they are doing. We should recognize women who make a difference in their community, such as those in healthcare, or volunteers.

Awet: This day is really important, not only for me personally but also for women in general. We need to think about what we as women have contributed to society, and what work still needs to be done.

Paula: Women have had to fight to have a voice and it wasn’t until 1929 that the Canadian courts even recognized them as ‘persons’.

Mary: It’s a celebration of women's achievements all over the world, where I can express my personal gratefulness to women's movements all over the world and also draw public attention to remaining unsolved gender problems in different countries.

What challenges do you think women in Canada are facing today?

Emily: Women are struggling to balance their roles as mother, wife and partner with their career and educational aspirations. They are told that they can 'have it all' but in reality, the experience of trying to juggle competing demands is very difficult.

Pia: There are incredible challenges that women are still facing, especially in government. Men are placed in higher-ranking government positions and are not accepting of women as equals.

Awet: We need to continue to work on things like child care, salary equality and violence against women.

Paula: We still live in a patriarchal society. Our political, social, intellectual and financial institutions were built on the idea of male superiority and control. It is essential that women have an equal voice and share leadership roles based on a feminist perspective.

Mary: Women’s representation in decision making is still low, women with drug addictions and mental disorders are not receiving enough support, many single mothers live in poverty, and female immigrants are simply funneled into low-paid sectors of the economy with little professional training offered.

What is the biggest change for women since 1911 (the first International Women’s Day)?

Emily: Women have gained the vote and access to employment outside the home.

Pia: I don’t think there has been much of a change. Women are still fighting for everything that they get. I’ll recognize a big change when everyone is treated equally.

Awet: The biggest change is the right to vote. We’ve also made progress in education, employment and sports.

Paula: Many things still need to be done. It will take a great deal of work to bring awareness to the fact that it is our birthright to be treated fairly as equals.

Mary: The right to vote and be elected to office, as well as equal rights in accessing education, health care and the right to own property.

On May 26, YWCA Vancouver will celebrate women with its prestigious 25th annual Women of Distinction Awards, which honours, encourages and recognizes women whose outstanding activities and achievements contribute to the health and future of the community.