Women are worth celebrating — and on March 8th, the official International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrations around the world draw attention not just to the achievements of women but to the need for greater gender equality.
A Brief History of IWD
This celebration traces its roots back to the early 20th-century labour movement when women began demanding better working conditions, voting rights, and equal opportunities. Since then, it has grown into a worldwide event recognized by the United Nations, among others.
The IWD movement gained momentum in Germany in 1910, when Clara Zetkin, a German activist, proposed the idea of a global women’s day at the International Socialist Women’s Congress in Copenhagen.
In 1975, the United Nations officially recognized March 8th as International Women’s Day, and each year, the UN identifies pressing themes relating to gender equality — from gender-based violence to economic empowerment to women’s leadership.
This year’s UN theme is:
For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
Meanwhile, the International Women’s Day Campaign has its own 2025 theme:
Accelerate Action.
The Local Lens: IWD in the Bay of Quinte
In the Bay of Quinte region, International Women’s Day holds increasing importance. Gender inequality and gender-based violence continue to impact many women’s lives here at home.
The Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health Unit reports that the local rate of intimate partner violence is higher than the Ontario average.
The wage gap also persists — with women in Ontario earning about 87 cents for every dollar a man makes per hour. On top of that, women are more likely to miss work due to childcare demands or pause their careers to act as caregivers.
Power in Numbers
Despite these challenges, there’s power in community. In Ontario, women actually outnumber men by about 100,000 people. And right here in the Quinte region, several businesses and organizations are working to advance the rights of women and support those in need.
Some of these organizations include:
- Quinte Women in Business: A network of female entrepreneurs and professionals providing mentorship and opportunities for aspiring businesswomen.
- Three Oaks Foundation: Supporting women and children affected by domestic violence.
- Alternatives for Women: Providing second stage housing, supportive counselling, and public education from a feminist perspective, advocating on behalf of women and children.
Whether you’re attending an event, supporting a local women-owned business, or taking time to reflect on how far we’ve come (and how far we still need to go), International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that women’s voices matter — in the Bay of Quinte and beyond.
Written by Sarah Williams
