CUASA Statement on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2023

CUASA Statement on International Women’s Day

This International Women’s Day (IWD), we’re giving a big shout out to all the women of our community. We want to especially recognize the women who are all too often ignored, not seen as “woman enough,” or whose labour often goes unrecognized. To the refugee and immigrant women; to the queer, trans and gender nonconforming women; to the Black, Indigenous, and other racialized women; to the disabled women; to the mothers; to the women struggling to make ends meet; and to all the women fighting to make this a better world.

We want to pause to consider the women and children living with violence at the hands of their states, the medical and psychiatric systems and those living with or fleeing violence in their own homes. We think particular of the women and children in our own community where the systems of support are so overtaxed the choices for safe haven are severely limited and the resources available are nowhere near enough to address the need. Shelters in Ottawa have been over capacity since the start of the pandemic. Please consider making a donation to Interval House or a women’s centred charity of your choice as a meaningful way to mark International Women’s day.

We also want to thank the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity for organizing their statement “There’s no gender equality without trans women.” In an increased climate of transmisogyny, it’s important to stand up and unequivocally announce that our feminism is trans-inclusive! #TransWomenAreWomen

This year’s IWD theme is “Embrace Equity”. From the International Women’s Day website:  “The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren’t enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.” For more information about #IWD, check out the IWD website.