Celebrate International Women’s Day (and keep working)
Impressive women are leading all over our community, from Ross Memorial Hospital to Fleming College, the Crown Attorney’s office, our paramedic service, multiple thriving businesses and the vast majority of the charitable and non-profit groups that make life in Kawartha Lakes richer and kinder.
Those of us of a certain age know what a staggering level of change this represents from just a few decades ago. We also know we can never take such progress for granted, which is why we still need International Women’s Day (IWD) as a reminder that the work is far from over.
The day has its origins in support for women’s labour groups and campaigns for equal voting rights. The first IWD took place in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and Austria in 1911. The UN designated March 8 as IWD in 1975, but until relatively recently, it’s been a bigger deal in other countries than here.
Sometimes reduced in the past to an oversimplified message akin to Girl Power, the day has become a critical moment in the year to pause and reflect on the status of women all over the world. If that reflection leads you to righteous anger, you’re not alone.
Around the globe, women and girls are still oppressed and harassed, barred from education and forced into marriage. It is enraging that rape remains a common tactic in war and that men still have control over the women in their family in far too much of the world.
Here in Canada, we’re all too accustomed to stories of women murdered by an intimate partner, frequently just as they prepare to leave an abusive relationship. Girls and women are still judged for their looks and “likeability” where men and boys are evaluated on ability.
Through their own strength, determination and ability, as well as the support of right-thinking men, women have made enormous gains when it comes to work and social equality. The realities of caring for children and aging parents, as well as the still-unequal burden of running a home, still tend to fall disproportionately on women, though. (And by the way, every mother works — some just work outside the home as well.)
The good news is that issues affecting women are increasingly considered mainstream, thanks to younger generations refusing to accept the limitations of the past. Menstruation and menopause are no longer unthinkable subjects of conversation; misogynist language and behaviour are appropriately called out.
There is so much to appreciate this International Women’s Day, but as we’ve seen in the United States, the gains are never secure. To people of goodwill of all genders: Keep up the fight.
Lindsay, ON
32 Walker Street
Date: June 23, 2025
The Editor
Kawartha Lakes Weekly
Kawartha Lakes, ON
Dear Editor,
Greetings! I am writing to you for the sole purpose of saying I completely agree with the article’s thoughtful message; International Women’s Day is far more than one day of feel-good affirmations from society.
It’s inspiring to see powerful women leading in healthcare, education, public service, business and nonprofits in communities like Kawartha Lakes. It’s great to hear such positivity in a local region. And yet, many issues still persist like gender-based violence, inequalities, and our fight for suffrage. The strong tension between progress and ongoing inequities is a very powerful thing. There are so many aspects of women’s rights that are constantly being overlooked and/or undervalued. It’s the representation that truly matters. Acknowledgement brings awareness not only to women, but everyone. To have it reach crucial institutions such as schools, companies, governments and the workplace environment gives a reassuring reminder of our success.
I love how it specifically highlights arising social changes. Menstruation and menopause are being more openly discussed in the world today, misogyny has become widely challenged, and we can see now more than ever how the younger generations are refusing the status quo in accordance with these changes (lindsayadvocate.ca). I myself have engaged in conversation surrounding these topics and it is truly heartwarming to see normalized conversation on the matter. This isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s an issue that everyone has to face. Things like economic opportunity and overall emotional wellbeing are key elements to keep in mind when looking at the topic at large.
As the article emphasizes: “we can never take such progress for granted”—and it urges continued, everyday effort toward equality (lindsayadvocate.ca). That being said, I completely sympathise with the reality that It’s not enough to just acknowledge women’s progress; we must protect and intensify its significance. As important as one symbolic day can be, we can’t simply let it shun the underlying denotation of the day. Whilst it can be very uplifting, it in turn doesn’t fit the systemic and frequently occurring issues. As unfair as it may seem, deeply rooted issues like misogyny and now more than ever, media stereotypes, are not set to be fixed because of one day set aside.
In short, this editorial truly nails the core purpose of International Women’s Day! It outlines how to celebrate how far we’ve come, to continue to recognize how far there still is to go, and to commit to ongoing action. A lot of people could benefit from understanding our perspective on the day; while we greatly appreciate it as a starting point, it isn’t all we need for a lasting change. It captures both pride in achievements and the resolve to keep pushing for real equality. I am happy to come across such an informative piece of media as it has really put into perspective the ongoing reality of being a working woman in society today.
Sincerely, Keira Don