"What will bring women closer to equality now is doing exactly what has made gains in the past: making demands and backing up those demands using the tools we have as union members and as citizens," — Elisabeth Ballermann, Secretary-Treasurer, NUPGE
Ottawa (18 Jan. 2019) — Saturday, January 19, 2019, marks the 3rd annual Women's March. The original Women's March on Washington began as a one-day protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's abhorrent comments about women and his policy moves that put women's lives at risk.
Since the first event in January 2017, the Women's March Network has grown into a resistance movement with over 1.2 million women, femmes, and allies that seek policy change for the betterment of women and their families.
Though based in the United States, the Women's March movement has spread globally and now has over 110 Chapters that serve thousands of people around the world. Global campaigns in 2018 included #BringTheNoise to protest Donald Trump's visit to the UK, #AbortoLegalYa to legalize abortion in Argentina, #StandWithSaudiFeminists to free female activists in Saudi Arabia, and #22to22 to raise global awareness of corporate water and land theft.
Here in Canada, we achieved the largest crowd at a protest (outside the United States) in Toronto, Ontario, at the 2nd annual Women's March in 2018 with a crowd of more than 10,000 people. The Women's March Canada chapter advocates for the advancement of women across Canada using a framework called H.E.R.S., which spells out the women's rights priorities of Health, Economic Security, Representation, and Safety.
Unions stand for equality
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) opposes all forms of gender discrimination. We strive every day to affirm and attest to women's worth, and to fight for equality for women and non-binary individuals. We do this in the workplace, and across society. Pay equity, child care, equal-pay wages, retirement security, and leave for domestic abuse are just some of the issues NUPGE takes on to ensure everyone is treated fairly.
"What will bring women closer to equality now is doing exactly what has made gains in the past: making demands and backing up those demands using the tools we have as union members and as citizens," said Elisabeth Ballermann, Secretary-Treasurer for the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE).
As part of a labour movement that stands up for equality and fairness, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is encouraging its members to participate to demand gender, racial, social and economic justice.
A list of cities where marches will be held can be found on the Women's March Canada website.
Elisabeth Ballermann