International Women's Day 2024

Women Coast to Coast Lay Their Claims on Society and Celebrate Their Collective Efforts for Justice

On the occasion of International Women's Day across Canada and Quebec women organized rallies, marches and gatherings of all kinds to advance their struggle for their rights and the rights of all, celebrate their achievements and discuss the battles ahead.

As part of the day's events, Search the Landfill actions were organized in a number of cities across the country. The actions demanded an immediate search of the Prairie Green landfill in Winnipeg where the remains of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, an unidentified Indigenous woman are believed to be buried. The families of Morgan and Marcedes have been fighting since 2022 for the landfill to be searched so their loved ones can be given a respectful burial -- demanding that Indigenous women be respected and treated like human beings with dignity, not disposed of like trash. The actions are part of the fight to end the violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people.

Many of the actions gave expression to the stand of the Canadian people as one with the heroic fight of the Palestinian people for their right to be in the face of Israel's genocidal assault as well as for an end to the use of force in relations between countries and nations.

QUEBEC

Across Quebec women reaffirmed that they do not accept the degrading notion that they are disposable, like common refuse, as the Legault government has demonstrated it considers them to be in the health care, education and social services sectors. Confronted every day with the Legault government's anti-social direction in the economy in the service of private interests, in the name of a so-called strong economy, women workers oppose it by defending their demands in their own name. They are rightly demanding that human, social, financial, technological and other resources be put in the service of society, to humanize the natural and social environment, which means the well-being of all, nothing less.

In their actions they made sure to declare loud and clear that no one is illegal, supporting the courageous struggle of migrant workers. Everyone has a place in building a modern Quebec, period. They also united in action with their Indigenous sisters who are demanding justice for missing and murdered women, against their criminalization, in defence of their ancestral rights -- in short, to put an end to Canada's colonial legacy.

Health, education and social services workers across the province declared that their working conditions are the conditions of care, education and service for all those who live in Quebec, as they have done since last fall.

Montreal

Quebec City

Fermont et Sept-Iles

Rimouski et Gaspé

Abitibi

ONTARIO
Ottawa

In Ottawa as part of the Search the Landfill Day of Action, a ceremony was held by Sisters-in-Spirit on Parliament Hill on March 8.

Toronto

A vigorous International Women's Day rally and march took place in Toronto on March 2 under the banner No One Is Free Until We Are All Free! The event was organized by Women Working with Immigrant Women together with other organizations.

The rally began with a land acknowledgment and a performance by the Red Bird Singers, a group of Indigenous women who are survivors of the residential and day schools and the '60s Scoop.

Following this, pride of place was given to the resistance of the Palestinian people to Israeli occupation and genocide and to the leading role of Palestinian women in that struggle since it began. The first speaker was from the Palestinian Youth Movement and affirmed that there can be no liberation of women in Palestine without an end to the Israeli occupation and this liberation will only be achieved with women's full participation. She denounced the brutal genocide taking place in Palestine where 70 per cent of those killed are women and children. She spoke to the arbitrary detention of hundreds of Palestinian women and their subjection to sexual assault and degrading treatment. She called out the western colonial notion that Palestinian women needed to be liberated from Palestinian men. She spoke of Palestinian mothers as mothers of the resistance in a situation where every Palestinian child is considered by Israel as a "demographic threat."

A second speaker, from Independent Jewish Voices, condemned the Israeli genocide being conducted in the name of Judaism and declared, Not in My Name! She stated that Palestinian liberation is a feminist issue, that the Israeli war is on mothers and their children and is wiping out entire family lineages and she hailed the leading role of the Palestinian women in the resistance.

South Asian Women's and Immigrant Services presented a skit dealing with the many problems faced by immigrant women in a situation where social programs are being slashed, and the voices of those who are dealing with the problems every day and putting forward solutions are silenced. The government continues to provide funding for war and for Israel's genocide in Palestine, while cutting services required by the Canadian people, they said.

One speaker spoke out in opposition to anti-Palestinian racism and Islamaphobia being promoted by the mainstream media, another in support of the rights of Trans people. A representative of health care workers addressed the cuts and privatization taking place in the health care system and the need to fund and strengthen public health care. A tenant organizer in York South Weston gave an update on a rent strike taking place in four buildings in the area and the dire situation facing tenants with the shortage of housing, increasing rents and the fact that many buildings are not covered by rent control.

A march through the streets of downtown Toronto followed the rally, with a large contingent joining in with placards and Palestinian flags, honouring the contribution of Palestinian women in the front ranks of the heroic Palestinian resistance.

On March 8 Indigenous women activists organized an action in the heart of Toronto at Yonge and Dundas Square which they call Landback Square. Several speakers told their personal stories and brought news of the actions in Manitoba to pressure NDP Premier Wab Kinew to keep his election promise to search the landfill.

Examples of the ongoing violence of the police and courts against Indigenous people and in particular Indigenous women were given, as well as the over-representation of Indigenous women, men and youth in Canadian prisons. In contrast, one speaker after another pointed out, was the indomitable determination of Indigenous women to overcome and lead the fight for dignity and for the rights of all. The spirited event concluded with a round dance in which everyone participated.

Scarborough

On March 8, some 70 women celebrated International Women's Day with a forum "Strengthening Community Voices" and cultural program. The women from South Asian Women's and Immigrant Services showed through their presentations, a video and skits the problems they face in accessing health care, housing and other services. They also presented their proposals on the changes needed to end their marginalization. They celebrated their successes in fighting to defend the rights of all.

MANITOBA
Winnipeg

Some 300 people held a round dance and marched through the streets of Winnipeg to the Manitoba legislature on March 8 demanding "Search the Landfill." Chants of "Bring Out Wab" rang out across the grounds as participants demanded the Manitoba Premier come out and account for the government's lack of action on the search. Speaking at the rally Cambria Harris, Morgan's daughter, said, "I don't understand how these governments can celebrate our women and our diversity when our women are still laying in landfills, in garbage dumps that remain gravesites to this day."

ALBERTA
Edmonton

International Women's Day events began early on March 8 in Edmonton with a rally as part of the National Day of Action to Search the Landfills. Knowledge-keeper Earth read the names of 93 women missing and murdered from the Edmonton area, which represents only those she has been able to document, since the police do not make comprehensive information available.

Later that day Women for Rights and Empowerment organized a highly successful dinner and discussion attended by more than 130 women. Women fighting on many fronts came together to inform each other, celebrate their work and achievements, and strengthen their unity and support for each other. The evening was a powerful affirmation that we are one humanity, engaged in one struggle for the rights of all and for the decision-making power needed to bring into being a world where women, children and all human beings can thrive.

Many women union activists attended, including workers from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Canadian Union of Public Employees, United Food and Commercial Workers, United Nurses of Alberta, CSU Local 52 representing city hall and library workers, and Edmonton and District Labour Council. A large delegation from Migrante Alberta and Familia Latino Migrante attended, as well as women from the Canada-Palestine Cultural Association, Bear Claw and other Indigenous activists, the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) cultural workers, disability rights activists, as well as other activists.

After a delicious dinner, knowledge-keeper Earth brought everyone together through the singing of the Grandmothers song and the four directions ceremony. Merryn Edwards welcomed everyone on behalf of Women for Rights and Empowerment, and provided a short history of IWD.

Discussion began with women activists Dale Shekooley from Civic Service Union (CSU) Local 52, Rachel Sheffelmier, United Nurses of Alberta; and Kathleen Mpulubisi, Canadian Union of Postal Workers speaking. All spoke about the battles they are waging against unsustainable working conditions and the assault on their wages and living conditions. CSU Local 52 was preparing to serve strike notice the next day, while the nurses and postal workers are in negotiations and are determined to achieve a settlement which provides wages and working conditions acceptable to them. A clear message from all was that unless the workers are looked after and have the working and living conditions they need, they cannot provide the services which society needs. Everyone has a stake in opposing the privatization of public services to serve private interests, they said. Everyone enthusiastically responded that they will be there if and when the picket lines go up. CSU 52 achieved a tentative agreement on March 14.

Randa Alhijawi, President of the Canada Palestine Cultural Association spoke of the intense pain of the community and of the determination to achieve a Free Palestine. The vast majority of Palestinians in Edmonton come from Gaza, and all are suffering the loss of family, of friends, of everything to the Israeli genocide, but they remain steadfast. When she finished speaking, all the Indigenous women present came on stage and wrapped her in the Mohawk Woman Warrior flag. With this loving act, they expressed for everyone the spirit that pervaded the evening and will remain with all who attended, of our social love and responsibility for each other and that we are truly one in the fight for a world fit for human beings and to put an end to all forms of marginalization, oppression, humiliation, and criminalization.

Artist Mary Joyce then presented her work "Defending the Hospital" which shows a Palestinian mother in action during the First Intifada to keep the Israeli forces away from the hospital so the children who had been injured could be treated.

Judith Ann Gale from Bear Claw spoke passionately about her own life experience and why she has organized to defend the unhoused people of Edmonton, many of whom are Indigenous people. As well as organizing actions to oppose the violent tear down of encampments, and contributing to the defeat of a bylaw to further criminalize the unhoused and people speaking in their own name, Bear Claw organizes food distribution. Randa and Judith were presented with the traditional loaf of Bread and bouquet of Roses from the song written in 1912 at the time of the textile workers' strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Cynthia Palmaria from Migrante spoke of the fight being waged for Status for All and regularization of undocumented workers. She informed of the fight to uphold the right of every child to an education and that schools have begun to demand production of documents without which the kids will not be able to attend school. Jan Ness spoke of the poverty and marginalization imposed on people with disabilities who are dependent on the AISH program, and the fight for dignity and security.

The last speaker was Peggy Morton from CPC(M-L) who summed up the common threads emerging from the discussion, that women know what is needed for women, for their families, for the workers, for society, for the world. What is missing is the decision-making power, political power in the hands of the people. The ruling circles do everything to destroy political discussion and control the agenda. Our forums and discussions are very important at this time, a place where everyone can speak freely and together we can work out what stands favour the people and how to proceed. It is not Genocide Joe or the global oligarchs but the people of the world who are decisive.

On March 10, the weather was unseasonably warm and sunny as women gathered once more for the annual IWD march which W4RE has organized since 2011, for more speakers and a lively march down Whyte Avenue from the University of Alberta campus to Gazebo Park. Many of those participating proceeded to Tipton Park a few blocks away to join in the weekly March for Gaza, in which close to 1,000 people participated.