For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment. International Women's Day (IWD) 2025

International Women’s Day (IWD) serves as a platform to highlight women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements worldwide. It also underscores the ongoing struggles women face, including gender-based violence, unequal pay, and limited access to education and healthcare. The day fosters solidarity to advocate for gender equality and women's rights.

UN Women has announced that the theme for International Women's Day 2025 is "For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment." For those like us, who are working with immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous women in Canada, IWD is particularly significant. The women we work for often face compounded challenges due to systemic barriers, cultural differences, and socio-economic disparities. We need to understand the significance of our work and how it supports rights, equality, and empowerment for all women we work with and pat ourselves on the back for the progress made while eyeing the long road ahead of us.

IWD provides an opportunity to raise awareness about these specific issues, advocate for policies that address their unique needs, and celebrate their resilience and contributions to Canadian society. Here are some ways you can meaningfully contribute to this IWD:

Amplify Voices and Make Allies

Collaborate with organizations and communities that are led by immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous women. It’s important to create space for them to speak, share their stories, and set the agenda for their needs.

Support Advocacy

Many organizations advocate for the rights of immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous women. Engage with or support these groups through donations, volunteering, or helping to raise awareness around IWD.

Focus on Intersectionality

Understand the unique challenges faced by women who experience multiple forms of discrimination. International Women’s Day is an opportunity to center the voices of the most marginalized, including those facing racism, colonialism, and displacement.

Tell Stories and Share Experiences

Use International Women's Day to amplify the personal stories and experiences of immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous women. Platforms such as social media, community events, or workshops can highlight their resilience, accomplishments, and challenges. By telling their stories, we help break down stereotypes and showcase the diversity of experiences within these communities.

Shift Narratives

It’s important to challenge and shift the dominant narratives around immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous women. Often, their stories are framed in ways that emphasize victimhood or struggle. On IWD, focus on stories of empowerment, agency, and resilience. This helps reframe how these women are seen, highlighting their strength and leadership in their communities.

Center Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Ensure that your actions and support on IWD are rooted in DEI principles. Work to create inclusive environments where all voices are heard, valued, and respected. This means going beyond just acknowledging diversity but actively ensuring that policies, practices, and resources are equitable and accessible for women from marginalized communities.

Support Skill-Building and Empowerment

On IWD, take concrete steps to support the skill-building and capacity-building efforts for immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous women. This could involve promoting workshops, training programs, or educational resources that help these women gain the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in their careers, communities, and personal lives.

Engage Men and Boys

Include men and boys in conversations around gender equality and support them in understanding their role in advocating for the rights and well-being of women, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. Engaging them as allies and advocates can help shift societal norms and contribute to long-term, sustainable change.

Support Economic Empowerment

Highlight initiatives that support the economic independence of immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous women, such as training for better job opportunities, entrepreneurship programs, or initiatives that provide access to resources for financial stability. This can be a powerful way to create sustainable change.

Promote Mental Health and Well-being

Recognize and address the mental health needs of immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous women, particularly as they face trauma related to displacement, discrimination, and social isolation. Providing resources, support systems, and safe spaces for dialogue is key to supporting their overall well-being.

And always remember that Rest is Resistance. Acknowledge that rest and self-care are acts of resistance, particularly for immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous women who often carry heavy burdens of systemic inequities, trauma, and multiple forms of discrimination. On International Women's Day, encourage and create spaces for these women to rest, recharge, and prioritize their well-being. This act of self-care can be a powerful way to resist the pressures of productivity, oppression, and exploitation. It reinforces the idea that women’s needs for rest and care are just as important as their work and contributions.