A Multitude of March Awareness Months

March 8: International Women's Day

Starting in 1911, International Women’s Day aims to celebrate women’s achievements in all areas and raise awareness about discrimination. It is also a day to celebrate the progress that has been made in advancing women’s rights and current efforts. The Government of Canada’s theme for 2025 is ‘Strength in every story,’ which showcases the importance of listening to and spreading the voices of all women, especially those who are still facing struggles in achieving equality.

National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement and coordination. It is the most common motor disability in childhood, and approximately 18 million people worldwide have cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to or abnormalities inside the developing brain that disrupt the brain's ability to control movement and maintain posture and balance.

March 20: International Day of Happiness

The International Day of Happiness was started by the United Nations General Assembly on June 28, 2012, with the goal of recognizing happiness and well-being as a universal aspiration. This year’s theme is ‘Sharing and Caring’ and reminds us that happiness comes from caring and being connected with others.

March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Since being declared by the United Nations in 1966, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed every year on March 21. This day is significant, as it was on that day in 1960 when police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire on a peaceful protest against apartheid pass laws and killed 69 people. Now, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination serves as a call to action against all forms of racial discrimination, injustice, systemic racism and hate.

March 22: World Water Day

World Water Day is held annually on March 22 to support Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. In particular, World Water Day focuses on the importance of freshwater and its sustainable management of it. The theme of World Water Day for 2025 is ‘Glacier Preservation,’ which highlights the effects of quickly melting glaciers. Not only does the addition of more water make the water cycle more unpredictable, but it also changes meltwater flows, causing environmental disasters such as floods, droughts, landslides and sea level rise. To help slow down glacial retreat, each of us must first do our own part in reducing our carbon footprint. This can be as small as turning off the lights when unneeded to preserve energy or as big as advocating for sustainable energy sources and practices.