Day reminds us never to become complacent
Burnaby Now
March 8, 2008
Opinion

So what's the point of International Women's Day, really? In the 21st century, haven't we passed the need to make a big to-do about being female? Aren't we all - regardless of gender or race or age - just equal?

If that's been your response to International Women's Day today, then we have a polite request: Give your head a shake.

It's easy for people to forget that many of the rights we all enjoy in 2008 were not achieved easily. The right to be educated. To vote. To work. To earn money. To have children. To marry a partner of choice - regardless of that partner's gender or race or age. The right to choose freely not to do any of those things.

… International Women's Day offers our annual wake-up call that we can't afford to become complacent yet - or ever.

… Consider a few reports issued just this week.

The Canadian Labour Congress reports that women are still getting paid less than men, regardless of their level of education, ability or experience.

Amnesty International highlights threats and abuse faced by school-age girls around the globe.

The Canadian Auto Workers women's department takes aim at the federal Conservatives for "turning back the clock on women's equality." It cites such issues as cancelling child-care agreements with the provinces, cutting funding from the Status of Women Canada budget and ignoring recommendations by a federal task force to introduce proactive pay equity laws….