C.E.I.U. celebrates International Women’s Day – March 8, 2011

2000 and beyond (Where we are today?)

The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that ‘all the battles have been won for women’ while many feminists from the 1970′s know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, in the union movement, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality.

The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.

We have come a long way Sisters and we still have a long road ahead. Let us take the time today to reflect on all the positive changes and work towards a better future for our Sisters, Daughters and Mothers. Our struggles continue Sisters, however only by working together in solidarity can we can make a change.

Your National Vice-Presidents for Women’s Issues:

Eastern Canada – Linda Wilcox

Western Canada – Dianne Mitchell

Ontario – Kamla Ishmael

Quebec – Huguette Breton