Share this Story : PNI Atlantic News Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

COMMENTARY: International Women’s Day 2026: Give to gain

It is almost March 8. We have journeyed through the heavy snows and hard work of winter, and here we are, finally approaching the threshold of spring.

Subscribe now to access this story and more:

Unlimited access to the website and app

Exclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcasts

Full access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists

Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.

Unlimited access to the website and app

Exclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcasts

Full access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists

Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.

Access additional stories every month

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting community

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

Recently, I had the opportunity to travel back to my first home, Taiwan, and visit the neighbouring islands of Okinawa. After living for 20 years in Prince Edward Island, looking at Asia through a Canadian lens offers a fascinating contrast.

For International Women’s Day 2026, the global theme is “Give to gain.” It is a prompt that asks us to think about how reciprocity, mentorship and the shared surrender of power can actually multiply success for everyone.

Taiwan: The visible gain

In Taiwan, the “Give to gain” spirit is literal. The society has “given” women a seat at the highest tables and “gained” one of the most resilient democracies in the world.

Leading the region: Taiwan remains No. 1 in Asia for gender equality. With over 40 per cent of legislative seats held by women in 2026, it has surpassed many Western nations.

The dinner table negotiation: However, my observation from this visit is that while the “gain” is visible at the top of government, the “giving” is still being negotiated at the dinner table. In the private sphere, women still carry the invisible weight of traditional family expectations. In Taiwan, we have gained the office, but we are still working on giving women true balance at home.

Prince Edward Island women focused on making a positive difference

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: How a P.E.I. woman became a catalyst for change in her province and beyond

Advertisement 1Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Japan: The quiet synergy

In Japan, the landscape is shifting from a model of “sacrifice” to one of “synergy.” For decades, the “giving” was one-sided: women gave up their dreams to support the “salaryman” structure.

Transparency as a tool: As of April 2026, new laws require Japanese companies to disclose not just their gender pay gap, but the ratio of female managers. By “giving” transparency, Japan “gains” a competitive edge in a shrinking labour market.

The prime minister’s path: We see this most clearly in the re-election of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. She is proving that a woman leading a power change doesn’t always look like a liberal revolution. By “giving” a woman the helm, Japan has “gained” a path to modernization that the old guard simply wouldn’t have accepted from a man. Whether in Tokyo parks where fathers now push strollers, or in local Okinawan communities where women are increasingly active, Japan is learning that when men give more at home, the nation gains a future.

This Toronto couple bought a house sight unseen in rural Nova Scotia during the pandemic. Did they stay? Nova Scotia

This Toronto couple bought a house sight unseen in rural Nova Scotia during the pandemic. Did they stay?

Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Dartmouth mother fears autistic son may lose job due to Nova Scotia budget cuts Nova Scotia

Dartmouth mother fears autistic son may lose job due to Nova Scotia budget cuts

Five Downeys face obstruction, firearm charges in Dartmouth shooting investigation Halifax

Five Downeys face obstruction, firearm charges in Dartmouth shooting investigation

CHEERS AND JEERS: Jeers to commentators for taking swipes at three-man Tyler Smith rink Prince Edward Island

CHEERS AND JEERS: Jeers to commentators for taking swipes at three-man Tyler Smith rink

Should people post footage of crimes on social media? Halifax RCMP say it could hurt investigations Nova Scotia

Should people post footage of crimes on social media? Halifax RCMP say it could hurt investigations

Canada: The intersectional lens

Bringing these reflections back to my life in Canada, the “Give to gain” theme hits differently.

Who is in the room? While Taiwan and Japan focus on getting women into the room, Canada’s 2026 focus is on who is in that room. Through GBA Plus, we ensure that “gains” aren’t reserved for one demographic, but include Indigenous, Black and 2SLGBTQI+ voices.

The economic reality: We still grapple with a wage gap of roughly 87 cents. We know that if we “give” women equal pay, Canada “gains” a $150 billion boost to our national GDP.

In my conversations across Asia, I realized that while Canada excels at the framework of equality, Taiwan excels at the representation, and Japan is currently mastering the mechanics of it.

The lesson of 2026 is clear: Equality is not a zero-sum game.

In Taiwan, giving women power gained a global reputation for leadership.

In Japan, giving women career paths is the only way to gain an economic future.

In Canada, giving space to intersectional voices is the only way to gain true social cohesion.

As you leave here today, look for the small “gives” — the way a young man gives up his seat for a mother in Taipei, or how a mentor in Charlottetown opens a door for a newcomer. These are the ripples that create the “gain.”

Happy International Women’s Day.

Hsiao Yu Liu is chairperson of the P.E.I. Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

Share this Story : PNI Atlantic News Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Lose an hour, not your sleep: The products that actually help Tips on maintaining your sleep schedule during time changes 7 Comments 3 hours ago Sleep

Lose an hour, not your sleep: The products that actually help

Tips on maintaining your sleep schedule during time changes

Advertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Top carpet cleaners that can handle tough messes Whether you have kids or pets, find options for every use and budget 5 hours ago Home Living

Top carpet cleaners that can handle tough messes

Whether you have kids or pets, find options for every use and budget

The best online deals in the Canadian retail space right now Cozy Earth, Saje and Explore Hardware, to name a few 19 hours ago Deals

The best online deals in the Canadian retail space right now

Cozy Earth, Saje and Explore Hardware, to name a few

Here's where to buy official 2026 World Cup merch in Metro Vancouver No matter who you're cheering for, here's where you can find World Cup merch in Metro Vancouver for any budget 20 hours ago News

Here's where to buy official 2026 World Cup merch in Metro Vancouver

No matter who you're cheering for, here's where you can find World Cup merch in Metro Vancouver for any budget

NARS releases matte take on a fan-favourite foundation Expert tips to apply a matte formula from a Canadian pro 22 hours ago Fashion & Beauty

NARS releases matte take on a fan-favourite foundation

Expert tips to apply a matte formula from a Canadian pro

© PNI Atlantic news