On International Women’s Day, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Prairie Region proudly celebrates the strength, resilience, and achievements of women. As we reflect on the progress made towards gender equality, we recognize that there is still much work to be done to ensure that all women can live and work with dignity and respect.
There are many issues that are adversely affecting women in Canada however, we would like to draw your attention to a few that are exceptionally pressing for PSAC Prairies.
One of the pressing issues facing women in Canada is the pervasive impact of the pink tax. This discriminatory practice unfairly burdens women with higher prices for products and services simply because of their gender. From personal care items to clothing and even healthcare products, women are often forced to pay more than their male counterparts for essential goods. The pink tax not only perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes but also exacerbates economic inequality, particularly for women from marginalized communities.
As the PSAC Prairie Region, we are committed to advocating for an end to the pink tax and promoting gender-neutral pricing policies that ensure fairness and equity for all consumers. Through education, awareness-raising, and advocacy efforts, we will work tirelessly to dismantle this unjust system and create a more inclusive and accessible marketplace for women in the Prairies and beyond.
In addition to fighting for an end to the Pink Tax, we continue to push for access to universal, quality and affordable child care in all communities, especially in rural areas. We continue to recognize the ongoing struggle for universal affordable child care as integral to women’s empowerment and economic equality. Access to quality, affordable childcare enables women to participate fully in the workforce, pursue education, career advancement, and ensures that children have a nurturing environment for their development. However, high costs and limited availability, especially in our rural communities, of childcare services continue to disproportionately affect women, particularly those from low-income and marginalized communities. This is unacceptable and will continue to call on government to do more, such as the creation of more spaces and paying worthy wages for early childhood educators.
And finally, we remain vocal proponents of reproductive justice in advancing women’s rights and autonomy. Reproductive justice encompasses not only the right to access safe and affordable reproductive healthcare services but also the right to make informed decisions about one’s own body and future. It is essential that women have access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including contraception, abortion services, fertility treatments, gender affirming care, and maternal care, without facing stigma, discrimination, or barriers based on income or geography.
We must recommit ourselves to the pursuit of gender equality, through reproductive justice, an end to the pink tax, and universal affordable childcare.
Together, we can build a more just and equitable society where all women can thrive and achieve their full potential.
In solidarity,
Sherry Hunt
Regional Women’s Committee Representative
Prairie Region Council
Marianne Hladun
Regional Executive Vice-President