Days of significance: March 2026

Feb. 26, 2026

Equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDI&B) is a strategic priority at Georgian. We’re dedicated to fostering a learning and working environment where everyone feels seen, heard and knows they belong through demonstrable, accountable and system-wide commitments to diversity, de-colonization, anti-racism, equity and inclusion. This days of significance calendar lists the days and months that are recognized within the Georgian community.

There are several dates each month that are recognized, observed and celebrated across Canada and internationally, and we encourage everyone to self-educate by referring to these great resources:

• Canadian important and commemorative days.
• UN International Days and Weeks.
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion diversity calendar.

Discover what’s going on in March, find ways to get involved and participate in events or activities, and through various resources.

March 8 – International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day, we recognize and celebrate the achievements, resilience, and leadership of women across Canada and around the world. From those who fought for the right to vote to those advancing breakthroughs in science, business, healthcare, arts, politics, and community leadership, women continue to shape our country in profound ways. 

But while progress has been made, gender equality in Canada remains unfinished work. Women — particularly Indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomer, 2SLGBTQ+, and women with disabilities — continue to face systemic barriers in economic security, safety, healthcare, and leadership representation. International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a call to action. 

Know the facts on gender equality in Canada 

• Gender-based violence remains a national crisis. Police-reported data shows women and girls are disproportionately victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Indigenous women remain significantly overrepresented among victims of homicide. 

• Women continue to earn less than men. Recent national data shows women earn approximately 87 to 89 cents for every dollar earned by men, with larger wage gaps for racialized and Indigenous women. 

• Women carry the majority of unpaid care work. Women continue to perform significantly more unpaid caregiving and household labour, impacting income, career progression, and retirement savings. 

• Workplace harassment persists. Nearly 1 in 5 women report experiencing harassment in the workplace within a 12-month period. 

• Women with disabilities face heightened vulnerability. They’re at significantly higher risk of violence and economic insecurity compared to women without disabilities. 

• Representation is improving but not equal. Women’s representation in federal politics has grown in recent years, yet parity has not been achieved, and women remain underrepresented in senior corporate leadership and STEM fields. 

• Economic vulnerability remains real. Women, especially single mothers and senior women living alone, experience higher rates of poverty compared to men. 

(Sources: Statistics Canada; Canadian Women’s Foundation; World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2024) 

Canada continues to rank among the top countries globally for gender equality, but it doesn’t yet achieve full parity. Structural inequities persist across income, leadership, safety, and opportunity. 

Gender equity for all women 

International Women’s Day is inclusive. We recognize and celebrate cisgender women, transgender women, and non-binary people who experience gender-based inequities. Womanhood is diverse, and advancing equity means ensuring safety, dignity, and opportunity for all. 

True gender equality requires intersectional action — addressing racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, colonialism, and economic inequality alongside sexism. 

Take action 

This International Women’s Day, consider how you can contribute to meaningful change: 

• Support and uplift women in your local community. 

• Read books, listen to podcasts, and engage with credible resources on gender equity. 

• Challenge discrimination and bias in workplaces, schools, and everyday interactions. 

• Advocate for pay equity, affordable childcare, parental leave, and anti-violence initiatives. 

• Donate to or volunteer with local shelters, crisis centres, and advocacy organizations. 

• Attend or support International Women’s Day events in your community. 

International Women’s Day isn’t just about recognition — it’s about responsibility. Let’s continue working together to break barriers, amplify women’s voices, and build a more equitable Canada for generations to come. 

March 20 – Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day 

 On Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day, we honour the rich diversity of Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ identities and the deep cultural roots they hold in Indigenous communities. 

Two-Spirit is a culturally specific identity used by some Indigenous people to describe their gender or sexual expression. Although Two-Spirit is a contemporary term, it represents a wide range of gender and sexual identities that have existed across Indigenous cultures since time immemorial.  

Prior to colonization, Indigenous gender and sexual identities were fluid, and Two-Spirit people held important, deeply rooted roles within their communities. These roles were disrupted by European colonization, which imposed binary gender norms, homophobia, transphobia, and systemic discrimination on Indigenous peoples. 

Today, many Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ individuals are reclaiming their rightful and sacred place within their cultures, families, and communities—reaffirming their identities and revitalizing traditional knowledge that has endured across generations. 

March 20 – International Day of Happiness

International Day of Happiness launched in 2013 by the United Nations in partnership with the nonprofit organization Action for Happiness, whose members span more than 160 countries. This day recognizes that true progress is measured not only by economic growth, but also by well-being and human happiness. It emphasizes the importance of mental health, overall well-being, and inclusive economic development.

This year’s theme explores the connection between social media and happiness, raising awareness about the potential challenges social media can pose to our well-being while also highlighting ways we can use social media and technology more intentionally and positively.

Looking for ways to celebrate? While everyone has their own definition of happiness, or things that make them happy some ideas include: 

• acts of kindness,

• volunteering,

• connecting with loved ones,

• practicing gratitude, and

• sharing positive content on social media using #InternationalDayOfHappiness.

March 31 – National Indigenous Languages Day 

Did you know that over 4,000 Indigenous languages are still spoken around the world—and 70 of them are spoken right here in Canada? Many of these languages are at risk of being eradicated, along with the distinct cultural and ancestral Indigenous knowledge they carry. 

At Georgian College, efforts are underway to help revitalize and preserve Anishnaabemowin—the traditional language of the Anishnaabeg People. Georgian College campuses are located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, specifically the Three Fires Confederacy comprised of the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Pottawatomi nations. 

Through revitalization, promotion, and preservation, the college is committed to supporting the future of Anishnaabemowin and the traditional knowledge it carries.