You can join the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day Friday, March 8 by connecting with local female entrepreneurs, getting inspired by a local charity that is empowering women and girls in Tanzania, or learning preventive self-defence tactics.
The 2019 International Women’s Day campaign theme, Balance for Better, encourages collective action — globally and at the grassroots level — to better our world.
International Women's Day is not only a celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, but it’s a day that calls for action on gender equity.
We have many women to recognize whose contributions to our community as entrepreneurs, innovators, decision-makers, caregivers, employees, volunteers and citizens are remarkable. However, even here in Canada, challenges remain.
While equality between the genders is enshrined in our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, there remains underrepresentation of women in leadership roles and politics, a pay gap of 25 per cent and high rates of gender-based violence.
The gender wage gap, which is the difference in earnings between women and men in the workplace, is a widely recognized indicator of women’s economic equality, and it exists to some extent in every country in the world. The average amount earned by full-time working women in Canada is 75 cents for every dollar earned by men, according to Statistics Canada.
International Women’s Day has its roots in the early 1900s, when women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman's Day (NWD) was observed across the United States in 1909.
In 1911, International Women's Day was honoured for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, with more than one million women and men attending rallies to campaign for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, and hold public office.
However, less than a week later, on March 15, the tragic Triangle Fire occurred in New York City, taking the lives of more than 140 working women, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This disastrous event drew significant attention to working conditions and labour legislation in the United States that became a focus of subsequent International Women's Day events.
For decades various countries celebrated an annual day for women, but it wasn’t until 1975, during International Women’s Year, that the United Nations declared its support and International Women’s Day became recognized around the world to create meaningful connections with each other, engage in learning opportunities to reach their personal and professional goals, and to feel inspired and empowered to spread awareness and break down barriers that women face today.
Here are a few International Women’s Day events in Newmarket on Friday, March 8:
HER Place presents IWD Community Meet and Greet Day
- Time: Community Day 9 a.m. to noon, Meet and Greet noon to 6 p.m.
- Where: HER Place, 482 Queen St.
A fun day of connecting, educating and mingling with local female entrepreneurs. The businesses featured will share how their services can help you stay balanced. No pressure for guests to buy or for businesses to deliver sales pitches. Stop by on your lunch break or after work.
“HER Place believes in organic, authentic connections and this Meet and Greet event is the exact vehicle to drive and create those types of connections,” said HER Place founder, Andrea Wetzel. “We believe the more balanced we are as a society, the better we all will be.”
For a free ticket to the meet and greet, RSVP to [email protected]
To reserve a spot for the morning Community Day, email [email protected]
Canadian Federation of University Women Aurora/Newmarket presents Empowering Women and Girls in Tanzania with speaker Lynn Bird
- Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: Trinity United Church, 461 Park Ave.
Be inspired by what Mount Albert charity ABCD: Art Building Children’s Dreams is doing to empower women and girls in Tanzania and learn how you can get involved to help them stay healthy and in school.
“I will be talking about what ABCD is doing to address the challenges girls and women in Tanzania and other developing nations face during their menstrual cycle,” said Lynn Bird, CFUW vice president and event speaker. “When girls and women are empowered to realize their potential the possibilities are endless.”
To register email [email protected] or [email protected]
Canadian Commando Krav Maga Centre IWD Women’s Self-Defence Seminar
- Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
- Cost: $13 with proceeds going to the Canadian Women’s Foundation
- Where: 1095-B Stellar Dr.
Learn to defend yourself with the comprehensive Smart Safe self-defence program that combines situational awareness with preventive tactics. Smart Safe was designed by Israeli Special Forces Commander Moni Aizik and is used as part of the Commando Krav Maga system.
“Smart Safe techniques are easy to learn, simple to perform and require very little physical strength. The program will enhance your ability to handle violent confrontations, as well as everyday life,” said Ilan Rosenberg, Canadian Director for Commando Krav Maga and event instructor.
To register, email [email protected]
