International Women’s Day 2022

As we mark this International Women’s Day, there’s never been a more important time to move for gender justice: for fair and livable wages, for freedom from violence, for access to affordable housing and childcare, for leadership, for opportunities to thrive.

We have seen growing injustices: rising risk of gender-based violence, increased caregiving demands, devaluing of “women’s work”, and widening poverty gaps.

They’ve been even worse for women and gender-diverse people who face additional barriers due to racism, immigration status, ableism, and financial instability.

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Image shows Signal for Help: hand open with thumb crossing palm, then four fingers trapping thumbLearn what you can do to support someone who may be experiencing gender-based violence.

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Resetting Normal Report Cover Resetting Normal is a series of reports on gender equality and the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. The series explores risks to human rights exposed by the pandemic and proposes new ways to build a gender-equal Canada in pandemic recovery efforts.
Woman's hand holds up sign: Check out the first season of our podcast Alright, Now What? and listen to discussions about the future of gender justice.

What is Gender Justice?

Global Fund for Women defines it as the redistribution of power, opportunities, and access for people of all genders. Achieving gender justice means that all women, girls, and Two Spirit, trans, and non-binary people get the full rights, support, and respect they deserve. This includes paid fair and livable wages, safety from violence and harassment, representation in all levels of decision-making, and every opportunity to thrive.

Pursuing gender justice means pursuing a wide range of systemic changes for social justice, including an end to racism, poverty, and other forms of discrimination and barriers. As Third Wave Fund notes, “gender justice can only truly be achieved when all forms of oppression cease to exist”.

Two thirds of Canadians (64%) know a woman who has experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

Canadian Women’s Foundation

Only 1 in 6 people in Canada are very confident that they would know what to say or do to support someone experiencing sexual or emotional abuse.

Canadian Women’s Foundation

Unemployment for racialized women rose to 10.5% compared with 6.2% for white women.

Statistics Canada

“I worry that hybrid work will make women less visible.”

Survey Respondent

46% of mothers say it’s been exhausting trying to balance work and childcare responsibilities.

Canadian Women’s Foundation

“Many women left my workplace due to family responsibilities, especially those facing multiple barriers.”

Survey Respondent

“Every single chapter of my life is suffering because I am overwhelmed and under-supported.”

Survey Respondent