International Women’s Day: Celebrating Newcomers

Canadians, NewcomersPeople around the globe will celebrate International Women’s Day Friday, 8th March.

This year’s theme is “Women’s achievements in the fields of economic, social, cultural and political achievement” “Inspire Inclusion.”

The first International Women’s Day (#IWD) took place on  March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. More than a half-million women (and men), showed their support in public gatherings. 

A day of global activism

Soon, other countries began to observe and celebrate International Women’s Day, and in 1975 the United Nations named 1975 as International Women’s Year and March 8 as theThe following are some examples of how to useficial International Women’s Day.

Over the years, March 8 has become a day of collective global activism and celebration shared by all those committed to forging women’s equality. 

Anabella Hatami of Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST)Telling Prepare for CanadaYou can also find out more about us here. “with the theme “#InspireInclusion,” we are reminded of the importance of embracing diversity and promoting inclusion across all sectors of society.”

“It is a call to action for each of us to actively engage in breaking down the barriers that hinder women’s progress,”Hatami, “particularly for those who are just beginning their lives anew in Canada.”

Skills and training for women of visible minorities

WEST of Windsor was founded in 1984 as a registered charity and non-profit corporation in response to the disproportionately high unemployment rates among women.

As noted on the WebsiteDuring the evolution of West of Windsor “it became apparent that the most disadvantaged women, in terms of training and employment opportunities, were visible minorities. As a result of those findings, a plan was implemented to create a technical and life skills training program specific to the needs of visible minority women residing in Windsor-Essex. WEST, a non-profit corporation and registered charitable organization, is the realization of that initiative.”

 Since the start of the pandemic, Canada has seen record population growth, with half of it women. Immigration Minister Marc MillerCanada announced in November 2023 that it is committed to settling 485,000 newcomers by 2024, and 500,000 by 2025.

Immigrants women are driving the labor market

According to Statistics Canada, in 2022 there were 4,200,630 immigrant women in the country’s labour market. The data revealed that 2.9 millions of these immigrants were visible minorities (1,3 million were not). Newcomers continue to comprise just about 100 percent of Canada’s labour force growth and 75 percent of the country’s population growth.

Women in Canada make up 83 percent of the workforce. That’s risen from just over 30 percent in 1976 when only half of the women in this country worked outside the home.

StatsCan estimates that the male national participation rate on the labour market is around 92 percent.

Hatami says West of Windsor focuses on #inspireinclusionTo heart, working with newcomer women and girl facing the challenges of a home move and overcoming gender-based obstacles. 

“Our mission is to provide these women with the tools, resources, and support they need to realize their full potential,”Hatami, said “By focusing on education and employment opportunities, we aim to empower them to build sustainable and fulfilling lives for themselves and their families.”

As one International Women’s Day website points out, “To truly include women means to openly embrace their diversity of race, age, ability, faith, body image, and how they identify. Worldwide, women must be included in all fields of endeavour.”

“One of the key pillars of Inspire Inclusion is the promotion of diversity in leadership and decision-making positions. Women, especially those belonging to underrepresented groups, continue to face barriers when seeking leadership roles. By championing inclusion, organizations and communities can harness the full potential of diverse perspectives, leading to better decision-making and innovation.”

It is about understanding and creating pathways for the success and leadership of newcomer women in our communities.

– Anabella Hatami, West of Windsor

“Education and awareness play vital roles in fostering inclusion and empowering women. Through initiatives such as mentorship programs, educational workshops, and advocacy campaigns, individuals and organizations can create opportunities for women to thrive. By providing support and resources, women can be empowered to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.”

The commitment to continuous improvement is required

For Hatami and West of Windsor, the importance of International Women’s Day and the theme of #inspireinclusionIt is much more than just a day of celebration and recognition. It’s a “continuous commitment to fostering an environment where women’s contributions are valued and their voices are heard.”

“It is about understanding the unique challenges faced by newcomer women and creating pathways for their success and leadership in our communities,”She said “Through our collective efforts, we can inspire inclusion and ensure that every woman has the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of life.”

Steve Tustin, editor for Rentals for Newcomers as well as contributing editor for Prepare for Canada. He was the former managing director of Storeys.comA former senior editor for both the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star.

*Prepare for Canada used no AI-generated content in the writing of this story, and all sources are cited and credited where possible.

© Prepare for Canada2023