"The education and empowerment of women throughout the world cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, just and peaceful life for all"- Aung San Suu Kyi
March 8 2010 is the 99th anniversary of International Women's Day - first agreed to in 1910 and first celebrated in 1911 - IWD is commemorated today internationally.
- Still a long way to go, Montreal Gazette, 4 Mar 10
- Economy and jobs focus of Women's Day rally in Toronto as thousands march, Canadian Press, 6 Mar 10
- New Brunswick marks International Women's Day with several events, Daily Gleaner, 8 Mar 10
- Recommit to women's liberation, Guardian, 8 Mar 10
International Women's Day is an important day for child care, as universal child care has always been part of demands for women's equality.
On International Women's Day 1986, the first federal study of Canadian child care needs and solutions, the Task Force on Child Care (the "Katie Cook Task Force") was released by the then-Conservative Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.
See "It was 20 years ago today, March 8, 1986" by Martha Friendly for more on the Katie Cooke task force.
On this International Women's Day, 2010, there is little to celebrate for Canadian women, certainly on the child care front.
This week, Canadian feminists are at the United Nations discussing progress on women's equality since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
The report for these international meetings by Canadian feminist NGOs said that "there has been a sharp decrease in institutional and political support by the Government of Canada for the promotion and protection of the human rights of women and girls during the period 2004 - 2009" and specifically cited the "elimination in 2006 of the funding agreements that had been negotiated with provinces and territories to provide five billion dollars for childcare and early learning programs", and yet another federal budget has been read with nothing for child care and little of substance on women's issues.
See Campaign 2000's response, "Women and children still last: No thank you, Mr. Flaherty!" and the Ontario Federation of Labour's position on the upcoming Ontario budget, "What women need in this budget"
And so on International Women's Day 2010, the struggle for universal, high quality child care continues. La lutte continue!
Happy International Women's Day, all, from all of us at the Childcare Resource and Research Unit - Martha Friendly, Carolyn Ferns, Nina Prabhu and Billie Carroll