OMA members, staff, family and friends take to the street during International Women’s Day march

The OMA Women (formerly the Outreach to Women Physicians Committee) and other members joined hundreds of local participants for the International Women’s Day march, held March 8 in Toronto.

The OMA group, which also included members’ family and friends, as well as staff, met early in the morning at the OMA offices in Toronto. They enjoyed some light refreshments, a meet-and-greet, and a poster-making session before heading to the nearby Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) to join other participants. Organized by the Women Working with Immigrant Women and International Women’s Day (IWD) Toronto Organizing Committee, the march also offered an information fair and rally for all participants.

Placards in hand, and enjoying the sudden burst of spring-like weather, the OMA group congregated with other marchers and then took to the streets to advocate for human rights and gender equity.

The group donned “#MarchingMDs” signs in addition to their handcrafted signs, and took the opportunity to discuss issues with those around them regarding gender pay gaps, gender bias, and other mounting concerns facing women – not only in medicine but across a broad range of professions.

Participants enjoyed the support and cheers of Sunday shoppers and other passersby while connecting with colleagues outside of the usual office and hospital settings.

International Women’s Day is a unique event with a long and remarkable history, dating back to the early 20th century. It is not organized by any single organization but is instead co-ordinated in conjunction with a collective of groups throughout the world. The theme for 2020 was “EachforEqual” – a theme amplified by thousands of social media posts that circulated throughout the globe on March 8 to acknowledge the special day.

The OMA Women Committee invites all OMA members and staff to mark International Women’s Day each year as a day of celebration and advocacy.

Thanks to all who took part in this year’s march on behalf of the OMA. We hope to see you again next year!

OMA members, staff, family and friends pose together with their arms folded to reflect the “EachforEqual” theme of International Women’s Day as they gathered at the OMA offices in Toronto before joining this year’s IWD march.