International Women's Day Must Spark Real Action to Remove Equality Barriers
While International Women's Day is often marked by celebratory social media posts and inspirational slogans, Penny Rankin, president of the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC), argues that the day carries a far deeper purpose. For Rankin, March 8th should be rooted in realism, resolve, and responsibility rather than superficial recognition.
Equality on Paper Versus Daily Reality
"Equality on paper has yet to be translated into equality in women's daily lives," says Rankin emphatically. "Real progress is going to require equity, focus, and action to address and remove the barriers women are still facing."
Those barriers remain persistent and wide-ranging across Canadian society:
- Significant pay gaps between genders
- Unpaid and underpaid caregiving responsibilities
- Gender-based violence and harassment
- Systemic discrimination in workplaces and institutions
Rankin emphasizes that these challenges do not affect all women equally. Women with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, and Indigenous and racialized women experience these barriers more acutely and face additional layers of discrimination.
A Day for Reflection and Renewed Commitment
This ongoing inequality is precisely why International Women's Day maintains its relevance and importance. "It's one day out of 365 that acts as a reminder of our year-round commitment," Rankin explains.
She offers a powerful metaphor for the women's rights movement: "I think of it as climbing a very steep hill. You know what the vision is on the other side of the mountain, but when you're climbing, you have to keep looking at the path so you don't trip and fall. At the same time, it's important to stop, look around and take a moment to breathe."
Rankin is equally firm about what International Women's Day should not represent. "It's neither a byline nor something I want summed up in a social media hashtag," she states unequivocally.
Catalyst for Change and Collective Action
Instead, Rankin sees the day as a catalyst—one that resonates with longtime advocates, engages new allies, and even sparks curiosity among those who may never have considered women's rights issues before.
"Depending on who is engaging, the day should leave people with homework," she says. "When we listen to and invest in women's rights, we invest in leadership. And when we do that, the whole country moves forward."
This philosophy aligns closely with the 2026 International Women's Day theme: "Give to Gain." For Rankin, the phrase represents more than just a tagline—it's foundational to the work of women's organizations.
"At NCWC, this idea is part of our DNA," she explains. "We've been here for over 132 years. Women working together for the good of women, children, and communities."
A Legacy of Advocacy and Progress
The National Council of Women of Canada was founded in 1893 by Lady Ishbel Aberdeen. For over a century, the organization has been at the forefront of advocacy for women's rights and social issues.
The NCWC's legacy includes:
- Identifying gaps in rural health care as far back as the 1890s
- Advocacy that ultimately contributed to the creation of the Victorian Order of Nurses
- Ongoing work through policy advocacy, education, and collective action
Today, the organization continues its mission to improve conditions for women, families, and communities through collaboration, education, and advocacy. As Rankin emphasizes, the work requires both perseverance and perspective—recognizing progress while acknowledging how far there still is to go.
The true measure of International Women's Day's success, according to Rankin, will be whether it translates awareness into concrete actions that dismantle the systemic barriers preventing full gender equality in Canada.
