
International Women’s Day recognizes women and their achievements. It is also a time to raise awareness for gender equality.
Women have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The social and physical isolation has caused an increase in gender-based violence and quarantines have limited women’s access to safety plans to seek help. Women are also feeling the increased burden of caregiving. Many women need to raise and educate their children without institutional support while also working from home.
While the stresses are increasing, access to support services are decreasing. A struggling economy has reduced donations to women’s organizations and their capacity to provide aid. While we celebrate all that women have and continue to accomplish, we must remember that women are still struggling.
Many local Winnipeg centres work with women to provide information, advice, support and education in safe, women-only spaces. The shared mission is to empower women and encourage change in our communities.
Here are some of those centres:
- North Point Douglas Women’s Centre
- Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre
- West Central Women’s Resource Centre
- North End Women’s Centre Inc