By Ayman Ghouri
Reflecting on Women’s History in Canada
October is recognized as Women’s History Month in Canada, encouraging us to acknowledge the women who have helped shape this country’s history and the progress made towards advancing gender equality. It is an important time to reflect on the fact that women’s history is not just about historical figures, but also the women in our own lives. There are many women who have made an impact in their families, workplaces, and communities, whose contributions may not always be visible at first.
Women’s History Month has been recognized in Canada since 1992, with October 18 as Persons Day. This date recognizes the Persons Case of 1929, which led to women being legally recognized as “persons” who could be appointed to the Senate. This decision was monumental for women’s political participation in Canada, although it did not mean that all women experienced equality. This is especially important to keep in mind when looking at women’s history. Women do not all experience gender in the same way because social factors such as race, culture, income, disability, sexuality, and immigration status can also shape their experiences. For example, Indigenous and racialized women have faced unique forms of discrimination that cannot be explained by gender alone. Although women have gained greater access to increased opportunities over time, these changes have not been distributed evenly across all communities.
Recognizing Progress and the Work Behind It
The majority of opportunities available to women today are relatively new when we look at the broader context. Many women had to advocate for greater access to education and employment, political participation, reproductive rights, and protection from discrimination and gender-based violence. These changes took place because women were willing to challenge expectations that had been socially accepted for a long time. It is also important to recognize the work women have done within their own communities. This can include mentoring others, advocating for better services, providing care, volunteering, supporting family members, or speaking openly about an issue that may otherwise be overlooked. Women have historically taken on a large amount of responsibility for caring for children, older relatives, and other family members. Women can also become the person which friends or relatives rely on when they need support.
Women’s Experiences and Mental Health
This type of work can easily go unnoticed because it happens in everyday life, but it still takes a lot of time and emotional energy. Although Women’s History Month is a celebration, there are still challenges that women experience today. This includes gender-based violence, harassment, discrimination, financial insecurity, and unequal opportunities can all affect women in different ways. These experiences may also overlap with systemic racism, poverty, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination. It is also important to remember that mental health does not exist in isolation from what someone can be experiencing in the rest of their life.
Strength Does Not Mean Going Without Support
Women are often praised for being strong and resilient, which can sometimes be considered positive; however, we must carefully think about turning strength into an expectation. If someone is constantly perceived as the person who has everything under control, it can become easier to overlook when she is not doing well. A woman can be independent and have everything figured out but still need support. She can be doing well at work or school and still be struggling in another aspect of her life. She can enjoy caring for the people around her while also feeling overwhelmed herself. These things do not contradict one another and this is why checking in with the women in our lives can be meaningful. This is especially true with the people who we assume are doing fine. Supporting someone also does not mean that we need to know exactly what to say. When someone tells us that they are struggling, our initial reaction is to offer advice or try to mediate the situation. Unfortunately, that may not be what they require at the moment.
What Meaningful Support Can Look Like
Listening can be enough to start. We can ask someone what would actually be helpful, give them space to talk without judging their response, and check in again later. If someone needs additional help, we can also support them in finding professional support or community resources. Be sure to always follow up, if someone tells you that she has been having a difficult week, or asking how she is doing a few days later shows that you remembered and that you care.
Recognizing the Women in Our Own Lives
Women’s History Month can also be a chance to think about the women who have made a difference in our own lives. This might be a mother, grandmother, sister, friend, teacher, mentor, or even a colleague. Maybe this person encouraged you to apply for an opportunity when you did not think you were qualified or perhaps it was a family member who made sacrifices to give you opportunities she did not have herself. It could even be a friend who supported you during a difficult period in your life. Although these experiences may seem trivial compared with the milestones we usually discuss during Women’s History Month, they can have a lasting impact on someone’s life. It is also worth thinking about whether we give that same support back in return.
Continuing the Conversation Beyond October
Do we actually listen when the women around us tell us something is wrong? Do we take their concerns seriously? Do we check in with the friend who normally seems completely fine? Do we notice when someone who is usually there for everyone else may need someone to be there for her? Women’s History Month gives us a reason to have these conversations, but they should not end when October does. There is a lot to celebrate when we look at the progress women have made, but also understanding that progress does not mean ignoring the barriers that still exist.
This October, consider learning about a woman in Canadian history whose story you may not have heard before. You can also take some time to recognize the women closer to you. Thank someone who has supported you, check in with someone you have not spoken to recently, or let someone know that you appreciate the role she has had in your life. Women’s History Month is about the women who helped create change before us, but it can also remind us to pay extra attention to the women around us now and ensure that they feel supported, seen, and appreciated.
Ressources and Support
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a challenging time, DCO Member Centres provide free, confidential support and referrals. Many centres operate 24/7, with services available by phone, text, chat, and additional formats depending on the location. Visit DCO’s Member Centre locations page to find a centre near you https://www.dcontario.org/locations/.