Every year, women around the world gather to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8. The occasion provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made towards equality and justice for women, and to demand change in the struggle against sexism and patriarchy. Claire Robillard has helped organise International Women's Day events since she moved to Vancouver in 1994. Last week, Seven Oaks (
http://www.sevenoaksmag.com/) spoke to Robillard about the role of IWD and the women's movement in the context of severe cutbacks to women's centres and other programs necessary for women's equality in British Columbia.
http://www.sevenoaksmag.com/) spoke to Robillard about the role of IWD and the women's movement in the context of severe cutbacks to women's centres and other programs necessary for women's equality in British Columbia.
Seven Oaks: When and why did you get involved with organising International Women's Day?
Claire Robillard: I guess it was in the fall of 1993. I basically responded to the call that Vancouver Status of Women had put out through Kinesis. That's kind of how it all started for me. From that year on, I just got involved every year.
S.O.: What are the main demands or themes of this year's International Women's Day in Vancouver?
Robillard: This year our theme is: "Stop the attacks on women at home and abroad." What we're really doing is speaking to the ever-increasing negative effects of globalisation, capitalism, and patriarchy. We thought this year it was particularly important to emphasise the devastating cuts to social programs and jobs in B.C. We think it really mirrors the continual erosion of living conditions for women and their families all over the world.
Read the full interview:
http://www.sevenoaksmag.com/features/03_robillard.html
Claire Robillard: I guess it was in the fall of 1993. I basically responded to the call that Vancouver Status of Women had put out through Kinesis. That's kind of how it all started for me. From that year on, I just got involved every year.
S.O.: What are the main demands or themes of this year's International Women's Day in Vancouver?
Robillard: This year our theme is: "Stop the attacks on women at home and abroad." What we're really doing is speaking to the ever-increasing negative effects of globalisation, capitalism, and patriarchy. We thought this year it was particularly important to emphasise the devastating cuts to social programs and jobs in B.C. We think it really mirrors the continual erosion of living conditions for women and their families all over the world.
Read the full interview:
http://www.sevenoaksmag.com/features/03_robillard.html
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