MLA Update

March 8, 2010 is International Women’s Day. This day is about honouring the movement for human equality and the successes women have had to improve their status in society. First formally held in 1911, the roots of International Women’s Day go back to the industrial revolution.

While many upper-class women stayed at home to care for children and hearth, numerous women in lower income households went to work, most notably in the garment industry. Working conditions in the factories were unsafe and unhealthy and sweatshops were typical. Workdays went well beyond eight hours. Six or seven-day workweeks were common and the pay was poor. So, women began to organize for their rights. The right to vote the right for decent wages, safe work environments and time off.

In 1910, Clara Zetkin, of Germany put forward the motion for an International Women’s Day at the second International Conference of Working Women. On this day, women in every country would celebrate their achievements and press for equality. The motion was unanimously passed and the first International Women’s Day was set for the following year.

Days after the first International Women’s Day, disaster struck at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, a garment factory in New York City employing hundreds of women. The fire that broke out killed 146 employees who either fell off broken fire escapes or were trapped behind locked doors. This disaster became a rallying point for women in the US and around the world, solidifying International Women’s Day as a day of action, remembrance and celebration. By 1975, International Women’s Day won recognition at the United Nations, and many countries began to honour the day as a national holiday.
Today, women have had many achievements. We’ve won the right to vote. We are persons under the law. Domestic violence is illegal. We can hold money and property in our own names. We can be doctors, lawyers, politicians and astronauts.

And while we celebrate these accomplishments, we have much more to do. In Canada, the 2010 International Women’s Day theme is Strong Leadership. Strong Women. Strong World: Equality.

With strength, we continue to press for pay equity, universal high-quality childcare, equal representation in politics and basic safety. We support each other and our communities by demanding that governments fund important services like those that help survivors of gender-based violence. This is going to be crucial this month, as local services that support women and children leaving violence are under attack in the BC Liberal Government’s Budget.

In honoring the women who came before us, and those who are on their way, we (both men and women) celebrate and act for change. This year, let’s help to stop violence in our communities. Write to me about how you want to see well-funded programs that prevent violence and support survivors. Together, we can make a difference because, together, we are the women’s movement.

For more information go to www.michellemungall.com
Michelle Mungall is the NDP MLA for Nelson-Creston
Phone: 250-354-5944
Email: michelle.mungall.mla@leg.bc.ca
Website: http: www.michellemungall.com

...remember to pick up your copy of the I Love Creston magazine, available for free at most retailers in Creston!