Each year, International Women’s Day (IWD) serves as a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made—and the work still ahead. The theme for 2025, “Accelerate Action,” urges us to move beyond awareness and push for meaningful, systemic change. When it comes to mental health and well-being, this message is more urgent than ever.
Women around the world continue to face deep-rooted gender disparities that affect not just their opportunities and rights, but also their mental health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. From economic inequalities and unpaid labor to the impact of global crises, these systemic barriers create stress, anxiety, and burnout for women.
To truly accelerate action, we must acknowledge the link between gender equality and mental health—and commit to dismantling the societal structures that continue to hold women back.
The Mental Health Toll of Gender Inequality
Despite increased awareness of mental health, women’s struggles often remain overlooked, dismissed, or pathologized rather than addressed at their root causes. Here’s how some of the key Accelerate Action issues directly affect mental health and well-being
Economic Inequality and Workplace Barriers
Women in Canada continue to earn 87 cents for every dollar earned by men, and this gap is even wider for racialized women and mothers. Financial insecurity is a leading contributor to stress, anxiety, and depression, as women disproportionately bear the burden of balancing work, caregiving, and household responsibilities. Chronic financial stress increases the risk of burnout, depression, and self-doubt, leading to emotional exhaustion and decreased well-being. Policies like pay transparency, flexible work arrangements, and stronger workplace protections can help reduce financial stress and support women’s mental well-being.
Unpaid and Invisible Labour
Women in Canada spend nearly 50% more time on unpaid household and caregiving tasks than men. This “second shift” leads to overwhelm, exhaustion, and resentment, especially for women juggling careers and family life. The expectation that women must “do it all” contributes to high rates of anxiety, perfectionism, and self-sacrifice, leaving little room for self-care and rest. Accelerating action means challenging traditional gender roles and pushing for policies like affordable childcare, paid parental leave, and fairer division of domestic labour.
The Impact of Global Crises on Women
From the COVID-19 pandemic to economic recessions, global events disproportionately impact women, increasing financial instability, job losses, and domestic violence rates. Women were twice as likely as men to lose their jobs during the pandemic, and domestic violence cases surged by 20-30% in Canada during lockdowns. Increased stressors lead to higher rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, particularly for marginalized women.
Governments and organizations must prioritize mental health support for women, including trauma-informed therapy and crisis intervention programs.
Systemic Barriers to Mental Health Care
Even when women recognize the need for mental health support, they face barriers such as:
- Financial constraints
- Cultural stigma (especially in BIPOC communities)
- Lack of female and culturally competent therapists
Currently, 1 in 4 women in Canada will experience depression in their lifetime, yet many will never seek or receive proper treatment. Without accessible care, mental health struggles worsen over time, leading to increased isolation, shame, and suffering. Investing in affordable, culturally sensitive mental health services is essential. Therapy should not be a luxury—it must be an accessible right.
How Do We Accelerate Action for Women’s Mental Health?
The “Accelerate Action” theme is a call to move beyond conversation and into implementation. Here’s how we can take meaningful steps toward improving mental health for women:
Normalize Mental Health Conversations
Break the stigma around therapy and self-care.
Encourage open discussions in families, workplaces, and communities.
Integrate mental health education into schools and workplaces.
Advocate for Policy Change
Push for pay equity, affordable therapy, and paid mental health leave.
Demand more funding for women’s mental health programs.
Support laws that protect caregivers and working mothers.
Support Women’s Well-being in Everyday Life
Encourage mutual support among women—check in, listen, and uplift each other.
Set boundaries—women are not obligated to “do it all.”
Women have been carrying the weight of societal expectations for too long. If we want to see real change, we must demand more—from workplaces, governments, and our own communities.
