The Federation of Medical Women
of Canada (FMWC) applauds and stands with all who marched in the Women's Rallies around the globe on January 21, 2017. This
is the largest peaceful protest in history because
Women's Rights are Human Rights
. We are witness to the strength, the capacity, the power of women. The FMWC stands strong on a history of courageous, determined female physicians who have pioneered with others for women's rights in Canada. We will continue the fight for the safety, dignity and basic human rights of all people irrespective of place of origin, ethnicity, color, sexuality or gender expression, religion, or age.
Over 600 global Women's Rallies across our nation and internationally celebrated the spirit of equality for all, justice for all, peace for all. We stand with all those who said we will not tolerate hate and discrimination; too many have suffered and died in the name of these unjust values. The rallies personified the spirit "We are here, we rise." Women rallied for self determination of our bodies, for safety from domestic abuse and violence, for respect for our environment and mother earth, for a fair living wage for all. Women from all walks of life spoke, sang, gave voice to the suffering of the marginalized and marched for human rights with courage and grace.
The FMWC
calls on our leaders to build capacity in our nation and stand for human rights and free speech around the globe. We stand with our mothers, our daughters, our sisters, our children, our colleagues and say we will not go backwards in the pursuit of equality.
Confronting gender-based violence needs to be at the forefront of our national agenda.
On January 21, 2017, women said we will not allow our bodies to be owned. Reproductive rights are basic human rights.
We, the FMWC, call on our government to commit to the full implementation of recommendations to Canada from the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination of Women released in 2016.
According to the United Nations, Canada needs a national gender strategy to address persistent inequalities and a national childcare framework to give more women access to full-time work. Vast numbers of women and children in Canada live in poverty. The Canadian government needs to take all necessary measures to narrow the wage gap, including increasing the minimum wage to a living wage.
A
s physicians we see everyday the impact of the social determinants of health. We support the United Nations recommendations that Canada needs social assistance rates that ensure an adequate living standard and prevent discriminatory impacts for low-income women and their children.
The United Nations says Canada needs to address the over-incarceration of indigenous and black women. And finally, the United Nations has called on Canada to make contraceptives available in all forms to all women, especially those living in poverty and in remote areas.
The time is now!
Strong communities and a strong nation are built on the physical and mental health of all our generations. The FMWC applauds the International Women's Rallies and we stand in support of our sister organizations the American Medical Women's Association and the Medical Women's International Association.
Our potential is unlimited, together we do rise.
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About the Federation of Medical Women of Canada
The FMWC is committed to being
The voice of women doctors in Canada
, across all specialties and provinces.
The FMWC provides women physicians the opportunity to take part in initiatives concerning women's health at local, national and international levels by developing leadership, education, networking, advocacy, mentoring and strategic alliances.
The FMWC has 17 local branches and is a national member of the Medical Women's International Association.
