As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, it is important now, more then ever, that we look at what the last year has been like for women.
In just one year, COVID-19 has severely impacted the lives of the world’s population and the latest statistics clearly indicate that women accounted for the lion’s share of those affected. Women comprise a clear majority of primary caregivers as well as those who work in the service industry, the two areas most impacted by the current economic effects of the pandemic. In addition, one need only watch the evening news to see that the majority of frontline health workers are also women, making them much more susceptible to contracting the virus and suffering from its severe health consequences. When illness strikes, it is the women in the family who are called upon to care for the afflicted.
And yet, women earn only a fraction of the income that men earn for the same work. Therefore, not only does the work women do put their lives under greater threat to their health, but they are paid less for doing so. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the social inequities that women have traditionally faced in our current environment. That is why, on this International Women’s Day, whose theme is appropriately “Choose to Challenge,” District 6 of the United Steelworkers union must and will double down on its pledge to fight these long-standing inequities that women face in our society on a daily basis.
As your Director, I will continue to stand with you as we break barriers of inequality and achieve inclusion, diversity for all.
The District 6 women’s committee is Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety.
I invite you to join me and the District 6 Women’s Committee on March 15 as we discuss the barriers that women face in the workplace. You will hear first hand from sisters throughout our district tell their stories.
Marty Warren
USW District 6 Director
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