March 3 2026
Every year on March 8, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) observes International Women’s Day, to reflect on the past, present, and future of the feminist gender equity movement. Since its inception in 1910, as an opportunity for women to press their demands including rights to work, vote, train, hold public office and end discrimination, labour has always been a site of resistance for the feminist movement. Over a century later, on March 8, 2026, we bring the movement back to its roots with this year’s theme, Rising Up for Economic Gender Justice.
Gender inequity is prevalent in all aspects of society including the economy. There is no better example than the care economy. According to the Canadian Labour Congress:
- More than 3 million people make up the Canadian care economy workforce, which is nearly one-fifth (19%) of the total employed population in Canada.
- Investment in care is a powerful economic stimulus tool with economic and social benefits. Despite much of the work being essential to the functioning of our economy, many paid care jobs are low-waged, precarious, and have poor working conditions.
- Seventy-five percent of paid care workers in Canada are women. Attacks on the care economy, including against health care work, is distinctly anti-feminist.
Though, not all care work is paid. Unpaid or invisible labour is worth up to $860 billion (37% of Canada’s GDP). When you consider that women are more likely than men to perform the unpaid labour at home (60% more likely), the amount of time women lose in a day is significant. Unequal divisions of unpaid care work among heterosexual couples can reduce a woman’s lifetime earnings by $300,000.
We join in solidarity on March 8, and every day, with the feminist movement, feminist allies, and our fellow unions to Rise Up for gender justice.
Sources for More Information and Data
NUPGE’s Budget 2025 Analysis and Budget 2025 Analysis: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) Focus
ILO Resolution on Decent Work and the Care Economy
Caring in Canada: Survey insights from caregivers and care providers across Canada