International Women's Day and who cares?

The world hasn't been getting any better for women lately. At least, that's what I've noticed.

Harper cuts to the Status of Women Canada went without much media coverage (sure, there was a little).

News of rapes and murders of women air on nightly television without any mention of why women are the targets so often.

Women's groups seem non-existent in many cities -- including Blackfly Magazine's home base in Toronto -- and it seems there is no popular movement to get them running again.

Today, International Women's Day (IWD), also happens to be Blog Against Sexism Day. I suppose, with this posting I'm doing just that. But I think these "day-for-such-and-such" things are bordering on useless. That includes real and virtual realms.

Why do we have to wait around for a day to do something? Why do we congratulate ourselves when we participate in one day against or for something? Sexism isn't happening just today. Why just have today be IWD?

Now, despite this sentiment, I will be participating the IWD march on Saturday. And, I did feel compelled to blog today about this topic. But are my actions useful? Do 500 women marching in Toronto on one, pre-planned, pre-packaged day make any difference for the rest of the year?

I'll be there because I'm hoping it will lift my spirits and lead to more action. I'm hoping the huge gush of women (and like-minded men and transgendered people) will make me think more is possible out of the floundering feminist movement. Maybe others will too.

Jenn Watt
Editor