As we witness the reversal of women's rights worldwide, it's clear that women cannot become complacent about protecting their civil liberties. According to the UN's Sustainable Development Agenda, the world is not on track for meeting its goal of gender equality for women by 2030.
Although Canada has committed to gender equality, there is still an ongoing struggle for women to realize their fullest human potential. This struggle includes barriers to education, access to financial resources and living free from gender-based and sexual violence, systemic racism and all forms of discrimination affecting women's lives.
Women's histories in Canada are punctuated by a series of hard-fought victories for human rights, including the right to vote, sexual and reproductive autonomy, equal pay for equal work and recognition of anti-racist struggles within Canadian feminist movements.
We need to ensure there is not a reversal in these victories by supporting women's studies programs in Canada. Anchoring, protecting and ensuring these rights for future generations should be key considerations for all.
