International Women’s Day is typically a day to celebrate progress. Instead, we’re witnessing hard-won rights being stripped away.
Several countries, including Afghanistan, China, Iran, Poland and the United States, have made alarming changes to laws and policies that restrict the rights and freedoms of women and girls.
Walk Free
Between 2019 and 2022, nearly 40% of countries experienced stagnation or decline in gender equality.
The Guardian
After a highly polarized campaign in the U.S., women favoured Kamala Harris, the candidate defending their reproductive rights, health and freedom, while a majority of men chose Donald Trump.
Source: Le Monde
Meta quietly updated its hateful conduct policy, also permitting users to refer to transgender or non-binary people as “it.”
Source: CTV News
Eliminating or scaling back diversity, equity and inclusion will jeopardize programs that have helped many underserved groups receive a fair shot at opportunities.
Source: CNN
A study found that, after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, tubal sterilization visits increased by 70% among young adults aged 19 to 26.
Source: The Guardian
Women are often quoted higher prices for everything from bank fees and mortgages to the auto industry in addition to paying more for products targeted at women.
Source: Global News
With the recent U.S. election and the rise of misogynist political rhetoric, a toxic discourse that has become increasingly pervasive in Canada, politically ambitious women are now the target of hateful social media messages, trolls and threats.
Source: TorontoMet Today
38% of mothers with young children say that they would have to quit or reduce their work hours without workplace flexibility.
Source: Forbes
This pay gap is even more pronounced for women and gender-diverse individuals who are Indigenous, racialized, newcomers, disabled and/or 2SLGBTQIA+.
Source: BC Government 2024 Pay Transparency Report
SUPPORT THE FIGHT FOR GENDER EQUITY
We advance gender equity by engaging business, community and government leaders to change policies and practices. Our advocacy is grounded in daily frontline work and informed by research and evidence.
We support women, children and families through housing, child care, mentorship and employment programs, because true equity requires real opportunities.
We act as a leading voice against gender-based violence. We advocate for access to justice and women's economic well-being, while partnering with diverse organizations to build momentum for change, such as our recent progress towards declaring gender-based violence an epidemic in BC.
And we know this work isn’t just for women and gender-diverse communities – we engage men and boys as allies because gender equity lifts everyone up.
But we can’t do it alone.
This International Women’s Day, let’s turn frustration into action. Support our work and help create a future where gender equity isn’t up for debate.
YWCA Metro Vancouver is proudly accredited by Imagine Canada Standards.
Accredited nonprofits have completed a rigorous independent peer review of their operating and governance practices.