Why celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th?

Women’s rights certainly improved over the course of the 20th century, and some inequalities seem less apparent today. But at the same time…

Our experience with our counterparts around the world tells us that patriarchy is still deeply entrenched, dividing communities and harming society. This is why we continue to mark March 8^th.  

Just like years past, Inter Pares is marking and celebrating International Women’s Day in the company of women and feminists from around the world. This year, we are highlighting the work of our amazing counterpart Likhaan Women’s Centre for Health in the Philippines.

Every day, Likhaan…

• Encourages and supports thousands of poor and marginalized women to make their own decisions about their future;
• Delivers healthcare, including family planning, pre- and post-natal care, and safe birthing information to women and adolescents by running clinics in several poor areas of Manila and in the rural countryside of Eastern Samar;
• Strengthens community outreach by training health workers, who are usually women from local communities; and
• Advocates to the government to implement the laws that would make free family planning, comprehensive sexual health education, and emergency obstetric care accessible to all Filipinos.

Here are are some ideas for how you can celebrate and support women’s rights this week, or next:

• Attend an event near you and tell us about it. If you’re in Ottawa, join us at our annual International Women's Day celebration.
• Make a donation in honour of a woman you care about and send her an e-card.
• Share our upcoming IWD social media posts with friends and family.
• Donate to Inter Pares in support of Likhaan’s programs.
• Nominate an inspiring women’s rights organization to receive the Peter Gillespie Social Justice Award.

We hope you’ll be marking and celebrating March 8th as well. Happy International Women’s Day! 

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