Men and women are gathering at the United Nations in New York City to mark International Women’s Day with a march to Times Square.
On Sunday, they’re joining voices around the world demanding equality for the gender that traditionally is paid less for work and often has a smaller voice in policy decisions.
UN officials say much has been achieved under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, signed by 189 governments in 1995 as a pledge for realizing women’s rights. But UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the gains have been too slow and uneven. He says the most urgent issue is rape being used as a war weapon, from Nigeria and Somalia to Iraq and Syria. Expected marchers include Chirlane McCray, wife of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Thousands of people took to the streets of Toronto on Saturday to march in support of International Women’s Day. Key issues at this year’s march included the Canadian government’s response to the issue of murdered and missing Aboriginal women, equal pay for women, promoting racial justice and combating sexual violence.
Organizers say more than 5,000 people were in attendance representing community groups, labour groups and women’s shelters. Supporters sang songs, played drums, chanted and carried flags while marching through the downtown core to Ryerson University campus. On Friday, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne unveiled a plan to fight sexual violence and harassment through legislation, increased funding and a provocative ad campaign.
There was several matches in myriad countries drawing attention to such issues as rape, inequality, forceful marriage, etc.
