[Photograph of the India Mahila Association in Vancouver for International Women's Day]

Photograph of the India Mahila Association participating in the International Women's Day event which took place in Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.).

The India Mahila Association (IMA) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization established in 1973 to support and empower women of South Asian descent in Canada. Open to women of all backgrounds, IMA focuses on advocacy, education, and community engagement while addressing issues such as gender equality, violence, and discrimination. The organization operates without external funding and has created an endowment fund with the Vancouver Foundation to sustain its mission. For over 50 years, IMA has provided support, resources, and a platform for women to connect and uplift one another.

International Women's Day (IWD) is a specific day dedicated to the advancement of women worldwide; celebrated annually on March 8, to honor the achievements of women across all aspects of life – social, economic, cultural, and political – while also advocating for gender equality. Originating from labor movements in the early 20th century, IWD has evolved into a globally recognized occasion marked by events, discussions, and initiatives advocating for inclusivity and equity. IWD was marked for the first time in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, on March 19, with more than one million women and men attending rallies.