With International Women’s Day celebrations taking place around the world on March 8, comes local celebrations in our community, and the Golden Women’s Resource Centre (GWRC) is at the forefront of serving and honouring women in the community of Golden, B.C.
Alycia Weir, Executive Director of GWRC, says, International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate women and the ways, “we show up for each other and do hard work that is often invisible.”
“It’s an opportunity to celebrate our friends who show up for us on hard days; those you can lean on through raising kids; co-workers you can lean on; the doctor that validated you. It’s a way to celebrate all of that,” she says.
As part of IWD celebrations, people in the community have an opportunity to recognize a special woman in their life by nominating them for a draw being held on March 10. Weir explains, the IWD draw is in honour and appreciation of women from all walks of life doing hard work in the community in various, potentially unrecognized ways, she encourages people from our community to nominate a woman who has made a difference for them www.goldenwomencentre.ca.
“It’s not a popularity contest,” Weir says, adding, “it’s important to have a day to celebrate all women.”
IWD came to be due to women’s movements towards equal rights (for example, the right to vote and be seen as people in the Court of Law), and safer labour conditions in Canada, North America and throughout the world. Throughout the early 1900’s women protested their status, which did not include their involvement in politics.
Men were primarily the lawmakers, politicians, and voted on issues that affected people, including issues that affected women. Human rights conditions within the workplace included a focus on work over the comfort of the worker, and a lack of safety within the workplace often led to serious injury or death. For example, not having fire exits, or breaks. In recognition of the need for women’s voices in government to make changes that affect them and human rights in the workplace. Women set up demonstrations to make changes.
In Canada, women were not seen as people until Oct. 18, 1929, (The Persons Case) and violence against women, including sexual assault, was considered “private matters” within households until women started bringing it to light through public demonstrations in the 1970s. (www.oncanadaproject.ca). Over decades, laws and social norms have been challenged with women at the forefront.
In current times, Weir says, in her experience, and others agree, men and women still have a different sense of safety and vulnerability.
“Our world is so fundamentally different. The way we interact with the world,” she says, and shares a personal example of walking down a dark road in an unfamiliar city with her partner where she felt afraid, and her male partner did not.
The “Take Back the Night” movement is the oldest worldwide movement challenging violence and sexual violence against women (www.takebackthenight.org). It began in England in 1908. Throughout the world, during these demonstrations, women walk the streets at night, rally together to reclaim the streets at night.
Current issues regarding toxic masculinity are surfacing and being discussed, which lends to finding solutions among genders through conversations within programming, for example, “The Men’s Group”. Weir says, it’s “exciting” to see the group taking it to the “next level”.
“Their work has potential to be complimentary to the work we do and there’s potential for collaboration,” she says, adding, “the only way to make change is to break toxic masculinity and create examples of healthy masculinity.”
“Challenging culture is hard to do,” she says.
Experts working towards ending violence against women say cultural groups need to discuss the impact men make on the lives of women within intimate partner relationships. The big question is, “what does he do to keep her safe?”
Statistics through the United Nations show one in three women are subjected to physical and/or sexual violence within an intimate partner relationship.
Experts say violence in intimate partner relationships has been an issue that stems from a power and control belief system. This belief system is cultural and keeps women from having equality within relationships. One partner is central, superior and more deserving than the other, and violence happens when the status quo is challenged. To create change, relationships need to be more connected, equal and mutual.
Sexual Assault Awareness month is coming up in April. The Sexual Assault Counselling services program launched through the GWRC in 2024. Weir says she is working on launching a website with a booking link for services for men and women who need counselling.
The website will inform people about what to expect when they attend services, and helps make booking easier for those needing it. It is available to all genders. Weir says the program is already busy through referrals, Victim Services and word-of-mouth.
“It’s great to be able to offer these services,” Weir says, adding that waitlists and costs tend to prohibit people from accessing services that help make a difference.
The GWRC serves women and those who identify as women. For more information about its services, including Sexual Assault Counselling, upcoming activities and events, and to nominate a special woman in your life, check out www.goldenwomencentre.ca
