Time to advance gender equality and support an inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, a recovery that will better position us for the future.
International Women’s Day is an important timeline for the Congress of Black Women of Canada – an organization that is committed to creating community and building connections among Black women as we address our shared opportunities, challenges and triumphs. We implore all women, Black Women in particular to take time for your own self-care and protect your overall health. Make this a priority this International Women’s Month!
It is worth noting that similar to Black History month, International Women’s month is celebrated for some of the same reasons – Black History month to ensure racial equity for a group of people who have been marginalized for years, and International Women’s month to ensure gender equity for women to reach their highest potential in society.
For Black women, double whammy … they must cope with both race inequity and gender inequity!
The impact of Covid-19 on the Black woman is huge – many make up a large percentage of front-line workers, many are care givers – they do not have the luxury of staying home during this pandemic – most have no benefits – no work, no pay! Also impacted are those women who run their own businesses – a lot of women are self-employed through their own businesses, all of which have been severely impacted by Covid-19. The recovery for them will be difficult.
Certainly Covid-19 has highlighted the need and opened up possibilities for our Canadian government to take bold and historic actions to address women’s economic inequality. The Economy must work for women. We need to see an economy that values women’s paid and unpaid work and one that expands and protects the care sector, especially when we take into consideration that women still provide the largest percentage of care.
As we celebrate International Women’s Month 2021, make your emotional, mental and physical health a priority. Join the Congress of Black Women Ontario Wellness Revolution!