Dear Editor:
International Women’s Day is a time for women around the world to commemorate their struggles and celebrate their achievements. The roots of International Women’s Day can be traced back to the struggles of women workers in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
In 1857, thousands of women working the New York garment industry took to the streets in protest of long working hours, unfair wages and sexual harassment in the workplace.
After conditions did not improve, in 1908 women held another huge demonstration in New York asking for fair treatment at work and demanded an end to child labour.
In 1910, 100 women representing 17 countries voted to establish an International Women’s Day.
On March 25, 1911, 145 female garment workers were killed in a sweatshop fire in New York. Many of the fire escapes were locked to prevent the women from taking a break.
There were approximately eighty thousand workers that attended the mass funeral for the 145 victims of the fire.
In 1912, 14,000 textile workers went out on strike for nearly three months. While on strike, they campaigned “Better to starve fighting then starve working.”
That courage inspired the song “Bread and Roses”, which has now become associated with International Women’s Day. Bread symbolizes economic justice and roses represent quality of life.
In 1975 the United Nations formally proclaimed March 8th as International Women’s Day and it is recognized/celebrated by many countries around the world.
March 8th is a day to celebrate the diversity of women, the strengths of each woman and celebrate women’s courage and efforts over the years to attain justice and equality for themselves and their children.
Shelwin House is a transition house located in Yorkton that provides 24 hour shelter and support for women and their children that are fleeing interpersonal violence. We believe this is a key date for women, as it is a day to reflect on the achievements women have made in the pursuit of justice and equality. Through this reflection, we must continue to strive forward and continue to work towards the day that no woman or child will suffer injustice in any form.
This year’s provincial theme, “Resilience: The Strength of Women Living with Disability.” According to Webster’s dictionary, the word “Disability: means “lack of physical, mental or social fitness, a handicap.”
According to statistics, one in four women experience interpersonal abuse. For a woman with a physical disability, this can be a disturbing factor with which power and control can be exerted. The abuser not only has a physical advantage, but is the person the woman relies upon for care, transportation or connection to the outside world. The abuser may withhold medication, not assist them with daily needs or ignore them.
There are invisible disabilities. The combination of being told decretory words on a daily basis leave emotional/psychological disabilities that many women believe what they are being told. Rudyard Kipling wrote “words are of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.”
Abuse takes many other forms, such as spiritual, financial, physical, sexual abuse or social isolation.
All forms of abuse place women and their children in vulnerable situations. Women leaving an abusive situation to start a life free from abuse can be a difficult journey. They face many obstacles such as threats of further violence, social or family pressure, lack of money, housing, low self-esteem etc.
Regardless of what race, status, religion or situation, we must remember that there is never an excuse for abuse. There is help available for both the victim and the abuser.
Shelwin House provides the basic comforts of a safe environment, giving the women a chance to make decisions about their lives without constant fear of attack. The staff help the women plan for life after leaving the shelter. Staff provide referrals to community and government resources, offer parenting and life skills information and support for the women to gain a better understanding of their situation.
For more information call Shelwin House 306-783-7299 or 1-888-783-3111.
