Today, many countries around the world will use the day to remember the international status of women.
To celebrate its first International Women's Day, the Richmond Women's Resource Centre will hold a breakfast on Saturday, March 9 at Cora's Breakfast and Lunch, 11380 Steveston Highway, at 9 a.m., with a performance by Sibel Thrasher.
"It's good to look at how far we've come, as well as how far we still have to go," said Colleen Glynn, the centre's president.
The first International Women's Day was conceived so working women could use the day to press for their labour demands in 1911.
Today, there still exists a myriad of issues contributing to inequality including salary - UBC is currently undergoing a study to see why female professors are being paid less than their male counterparts - and how safety is viewed.
"A woman was attacked in broad daylight recently, and you still see Tweets like, 'walk in pairs,'" said Janni Aragon, feminist political scientist and professor at the University of Victoria. "Why is it my responsibility to make sure I don't get attacked? Why aren't we seeing Tweets like, 'don't attack people.'"
But, how does having a day or a month for women help this or is it a token gesture?
"I don't have a problem with it because it is important to at least set aside times to forward this discussion," said Aragon. "With all celebrations like this, there's always a Hallmark side of things where people promote their business, but other places do want to have a discussion."
For its part, the Richmond Women's Resource Centre will use Saturday's breakfast to fundraise for its programs and services, through a live auction and ticket sales at $25.
Widening the lens on Canada, it seems the country is doing well with six out of 13 premiers being female. However, as of 2011, women comprised only 25 per cent of MPs, falling short of the critical mass (defined by the UN as 30 per cent) needed to have influence, according to an article written by Carleton University Masters student Clayton H. Riddell.
"What our national discussion has not yet addressed are specific, practical proposals to increase women's political representation," Riddell wrote. "It's all talk and no action."
Going even wider, International Women's Day highlights the status of women globally, as many fight against domestic violence and for the right to an education.
"In some places, not having a washroom at school stops girls from attending once they begin to menstruate," said Aragon. "That's hard to imagine for a lot of us."
