Sisters, on International Women’s Day, we rise together – unstoppable, unbreakable and united in our shared fight for gender justice. We honour the legacy of the women who came before us—those who organized, resisted, and built the foundations of the rights we hold today. Our fight is far from over. Across workplaces, communities, and nations, women still battle gender-based violence, pay inequity, discrimination, and economic insecurity.

This year marks 30 years since the United Nations Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark commitment to achieving gender equality worldwide. Yet, three decades later, women are still fighting for rights we should not have to defend.

In Canada, we are at the start of what will be years of instability thanks to President Trump’s economic war on our country and our workers. In times of crisis, women often pay a high price. Unifor will do everything that we can to stop this backlash of inequality. Together we will defend jobs, support workers, and protect our public services through the fight ahead.

This year’s international theme, Accelerate Action, is more than a call—it’s a demand. We cannot wait for justice. We will not ask for permission. We will not accept empty promises or slogans, from politicians, from bosses, from anyone. We must defend the gains won by generations of union women before us. And we keep fighting for what is still owed to us—because when we fight, we win.

With a federal election looming, we have the opportunity to raise our voices and demand action with every conversation we have.

As feminists and trade unionists we know that change will only happen when we raise our voices together and take action on issues that will achieve gender equity.

• End Gender-Based, Intimate Partner Violence and Harassment—We demand laws that protect survivors and enforce accountability.
• Close the Pay Gap—Equity means ensuring women, especially Black, Indigenous, and racialized women and women with disabilities are paid fairly for their work.
• Secure Workplace Rights—Fair contracts and good jobs that protect women’s economic independence.
• Tackle Systemic Barriers—Women still face discrimination, underrepresentation in leadership, and workplace violence. We fight for real equity, not tokenism.

On this International Women’s Day, let’s march, rally, organize, and rise together. For justice. For equity. For all women and girls.

We rise. We resist. So, we will win.

Read this statement on our website.

In solidarity,

Lana Payne
National President