International Women's Day

What you need to know

Join us on March 8, International Women’s Day, a global day of recognition celebrating achievements toward gender equity and raising awareness about the work still left to be done.

Signed proclamation (491 KB)

We continually aim to support and improve our work towards gender parity.

The Women’s Equity Strategy, approved by Council in 2018, is a 10-year initiative aimed at addressing barriers faced by cis and trans women.

This strategy includes multi-year projects aimed at providing all women and girls, Two Spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender diverse peoples with equitable opportunities to fully participate in the political, economic, cultural, and social life of Vancouver.

#EmbraceEquity: Equity versus equality

Women’s rights affect us all, and it begins with equity. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity and to celebrate International Women’s Day at the City, we created a short video of Mayor and Council recognizing International Women’s Day and talking about equity.

We hear a lot about equality and equity; but what is the difference and why does it matter?

Equality means each group or individual is given the same opportunities, regardless of their needs or circumstances. Equity means each group or individual is given what they need, based on their circumstances, in order to succeed.

Equity acknowledges that people don't begin life in the same place, and that circumstances can make it more difficult for people to achieve the same goals. The goal of equity is to change structural and systemic barriers that get in the way of people's ability to thrive.

Women’s rights affect us all, and it begins with equity. Equal opportunities are no longer enough.

Beyond March 8

While International Women’s Day is a global occasion to celebrate women and people of marginalized genders, the work to achieve gender equity goes on throughout the year.

Colonial and patriarchal structures continue to oppress racialized peoples and people of marginalized genders. These systems impact people’s ability to access safety, employment, justice, health care, housing, education, and reproductive rights.

We are committed to promoting equity and justice, and continue to work to address these systemic and structural oppressions that perpetuate inequities.

Learn more about the steps we're taking in advancing gender equity and anti-racism.

Musem of Vancouver slideshow

With help from the Museum of Vancouver, we curated a photo exhibition featuring over 30 engaged residents and organizations that have been instrumental in advancing gender equity within our city.

This slideshow aims to honour the leadership and contributions that women and people of marginalized genders give to Vancouver as activists, workers, artists, entrepreneurs, caregivers, professionals, educators, and volunteers.

It also aims to highlight the work of Indigenous people, Black people, and people of colour, whose experiences of gender inequities are intrinsically connected to colonization and racialized violence.

Preview the slideshow below, and read their full stories and slideshow (7 MB).

International Women's Day, March 8, 2021

By City of Vancouver

Celebrating International Women’s Day in Vancouver

By City of Vancouver

“Until all of us have made it, none of us have made it.” - Rosemary Brown March 8 is International Women’s Day, a global celebration of gender equity and those who seek to improve the lives of women and girls, Two Spirit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse peoples through cultural, legal, economic, and social change. This year, we honour the contributions of our local change makers, from Vancouver’s past and present, whose courage and commitment to gender equity are an inspiration for our future.
Ch’ich’iyúy Elxwikn (The Twin Sisters)

By City of Vancouver

Since Time Immemorial - What settlers and newcomers may know as “The Lions” are known to the Host Nations as Ch’ich’iyúy Elxwikn - “The Twin Sisters” – reminders of the values and kindness of Indigenous women. We recognize the brilliance of the women who call this place home didn’t begin with Vancouver’s incorporation in 1886, nor did equality first arrive when women won the right to vote or were first elected to City Council. Before settlers arrived, there was equality here. Indigenous women were leaders, land-owners, and matriarchs. Since time immemorial, the women and Two Spirit people of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations have built their communities, raised their children and grandchildren, and told their own stories on this land.
Sophie

By City of Vancouver

This painting, Sophie with Berry Basket, Stanley Park by Margaret Wake is from the collection at the Museum of Vancouver. Sophie is seated wearing a berry basket with a woven tumpline. The basket features a stone hammer design which is associated with the Mount Currie and Upper Squamish areas. Based on this, it is possible Sophie was from the Squamish Nation. This painting is loaded with symbolism. Sophie is pictured in Stanley Park, the site of a village inhabited by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years before settlers arrived. The limited information we have access to about Sophie speaks to the collective erasure of Indigenous women in the canon of women’s rights. Our ability to determine that Sophie may have been from the Squamish Nation is based on the basket design, the weaving of which would have been done by a woman, speaks to the role of Indigenous women – and all women – in our connection to our communities.

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