Toronto – March 3, 2025 – International Women’s Day (IWD) offers an opportunity to reflect on the progress made for women’s rights in Canada and around the world, while also serving as a call to accelerate action. Celebrated globally on March 8, this day honours the achievements and contributions of women across all sectors of society, while acknowledging the challenges that still remain. The theme for International Women’s Day 2025, #AccelerateAction, emphasizes the need for urgent, collective efforts to break down barriers, amplify voices, and create meaningful change for women everywhere.

Canada: Celebrating the Power of Voting

In Canada, this year’s IWD is a reminder of the transformative power of voting. Women have long used their collective voice at the ballot box to push for policies that promote fairness, equity, and opportunity. When women vote, they champion issues that have a direct impact on the well-being of families, communities, and the broader society.

Some key areas where women’s votes have made significant strides include:

• Fair Wages and Decent Work: Women voters demand governments that prioritize workers’ rights and ensure decent jobs for all. Ensuring equitable pay and labor rights is essential to building a more just society for women and families.
• Affordable Child Care, Education, Housing, and Food: Women’s collective vote can influence policies that provide affordable and accessible services for families, making it easier for women to advance in the workplace, pursue education, and provide for their families.
• Strong Healthcare Systems: Women disproportionately shoulder caregiving responsibilities, both within the home and as healthcare workers. A government that invests in healthcare benefits not only women but entire communities, ensuring that everyone has access to essential services and care.
• Ending Violence Against Women: Voting is one of the most powerful tools women have in advocating for stronger legislation that protects survivors of violence and holds perpetrators accountable. Collective action can help push for policies that create safer environments for all women.
• Addressing Inequality: Women voting together can challenge the systems that perpetuate inequities, pushing for fair and inclusive policies that lift up all marginalized groups. Women’s voices are essential in ensuring that the fight for equality is at the forefront of political agendas.

Global Call for Collective Action

While progress has been made, International Women’s Day 2025 also shines a spotlight on the urgency of accelerating change worldwide. The global IWD campaign theme for 2025, #AccelerateAction, urges individuals, organizations, and governments to act with greater urgency and commitment toward achieving gender equality.

At the current pace of progress, the World Economic Forum has predicted that it will take until 2158—roughly five generations from now—to reach full gender parity. This statistic highlights the need for faster, bolder actions in closing the gender gap across all sectors, from political representation to economic participation and social inclusion.

International Women’s Day 2025 is a call to action, inviting people around the world to come together and drive change in solidarity. The time to act is now. Together, we can accelerate the journey toward a more equitable and inclusive future, where women and girls everywhere can live free from discrimination and realize their full potential.

To join the movement and contribute to meaningful change, visit the following links to learn more about how you can take action and support UFCW Canada’s gender equality efforts: Closing The Gender Wage Gap, Make Child Care Accessible for all and Protect the Child Care Workforce , and End Gender Based Violence .