On the 114th Anniversary of IWD: For Feminism and Socialism!

by Socialist Action Canada

A women’s conference of the Socialist International in Copenhagen in 1910 launched International Women’s Day. In 1978, Trotskyist parties, including the predecessor organization of Socialist Action / Ligue pour l’Action Socialiste in the Canadian state, re-launched the annual IWD.

Women’s oppression as well as heterosexism, transphobia, racism, environmental destruction and war are rooted in the capitalist system’s relentless pursuit of profits. Reactionary conservatism and religious fundamentalism seek the further subjugation of women to uphold their archaic patriarchal power structures.

Trans women are women! Our most vulnerable community members must be defended not shunned; leaving sisters behind serves only to divide us! Gender diverse people, however they identify, suffer too under the yoke of misogyny. The struggles for women's liberation and queer liberation will be fought together and won together.

On this IWD, we again honour the Palestinian women and children victims of the genocidal Zionist state as well as those suffering sexual violence and oppression in Congo.

*Ruling class claims that women in Canada have ‘achieved equality’ are nothing but a sick joke. On average, women here are paid 11 per cent less than men who in turn have seen their wages stagnate, or decline. In 2024, rising inflation and interest rates combined with growth in precarious and multiple part time work disproportionally hit women’s quality of life, well-being, and access to basic needs like safe housing and food. Fifty-six per cent of multiple job holders are women. Most women still bear the double burden of doing most of the domestic labour, in addition to work outside the home.

* The latest available Sustainable Development Goal 5 data shows that the world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. At the present rate it will take another 286 years to close the gender gap!

*Globally one woman died by intimate partner violence every 10 minutes; in Canada every 6 days

* Aboriginal women and girls suffer shameful economic and social conditions. They are systemic victims of racism, inequality, physical assault, disappearance and murder.

* Since 2023, MPP Sarah Jama has been censured by the Tory-dominated Ontario Legislature for demanding an Israeli state Ceasefire. She was booted out of the ONDP caucus for “being difficult”. Women politicians and journalists especially racialized women face violence and threats in Canada. Threats against Trans and LGBTQI+ people are escalating. Pierre Poilievre echoes Trump’s vile misogyny.

While trillions of dollars are wasted globally on corporate bail-outs and militarism, women and girls are denied adequate education, economic opportunities, clean water, health care, reproductive choice and personal security. From Palestine to Haiti, from Guatemala to Syria, from Kashmir to Congo, women and children are disproportionately the casualties of wars and military occupation in which Ottawa is directly involved or complicit. Millions of women and men have demonstrated against the corporate agenda which threatens to increase sexism, racism, homophobia and exploitation on all levels.

To transform society our demands must be sharp and clear: No money for war. Tax big business and the rich. Fund health care, education and social services. Provide universal, free, quality child care and pharma care. Enforce equal pay and equal access to good jobs. No multi-tier wages/benefits. Restore funding to women’s social justice organizations, emergency shelters and legal aid. Build quality social housing. Raise E.I. rates and ensure real access for part-time workers. Legislate a $25 per hour minimum wage. End precarious employment. Provide paid sick leave to all, especially front-line workers. Nationalize private, for-profit Long Term Care companies.

For public ownership of the commanding heights of the economy under workers’, Indigenous and community control. For a Workers’ Government. Fight for working class political independence and for socialist policies in labour unions and the NDP. Defend the right to strike with mass job action. Women’s Liberation through Socialist Revolution. No socialism without Women’s Liberation.

If you agree, join Socialist Action / Ligue pour l’Action Socialiste today. Visit: www.socialistaction.ca Call: 647–986-1917. E-mail: socialistactioncanada@gmail.com