International Women’s Day: Still a long way to go for equality

A startling new infographic released by Match International shows we still have a long way to go when it comes to women's rights.

The image coincides with International Women's Day on March 8, and offers a look at statistics surrounding domestic violence against women.

While it's shocking that every six days a woman in Canada is killed by an intimate partner, perhaps more disturbing is that in South Africa that rate is one woman killed by an intimate partner every six hours. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 48 women are raped every hour.

The infographic also shows that half of all women in Canada - HALF - have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16. Clearly not enough is being done to protect women around the world.

What can we do to help?

Canadians account for only eight per cent of total donations to international charitable causes, and women's organizations are receiving half of the donations they used to over a five-year period. Consider making a donation on International Women's Day to charities that focus on gender equality, such as Oxfam or Plan Canada's 'Because I am a Girl' project.

Plan Canada suggests people email or write their local MP or MPP and ask them to support action plans to end violence against children, with a strong focus on gender in and around schools.

"This will help all children, especially girls, realize their right to learn without fear," they write on their website.

Match International Women's Fund offers opportunities for volunteers, fundraising and donations that go directly to programs that support gender equality and women's empowerment.

Teaching our children that violence is never an acceptable choice is another way to help break the cycle, and empower today's young people to take charge and be part of the change.