Women's groups marked International Women's Day Wednesday by calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to change his mind on child care.

In a series of meetings, demonstrations and news conferences, the groups urged the federal government to keep the the $5 billion worth of child care agreements that the Liberals signed with several provinces before the election.

They say Harper's pledge to replace those agreements with direct payments to parents of $1,200 a year for every child under six just doesn't cut it.

"While families welcome financial support, it is not child care," Monica Lysack, of the Canadian Child Care Advocacy Association, told a news conference in Ottawa Wednesday.

Barbara Byers, executive vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress, told reporters that "for working women, child care is all about equality."

She said Harper's promised child-care money falls far short of what is needed.

"Help with diapers maybe, but not child care. This government has its focus on the family all wrong," Byers added.

Harper had his own statement to mark International Women's Day, describing it as "a time to reflect on the vital contributions made by women to the building of this country."

There was no mention of child-care in the statement, but Harper did stress the federal government's "determination to provide Canadian women with the security and sense of opportunity to which they aspire."

Meanwhile, Governor General Michaelle Jean says the fight for women's rights is far from over.

Jean told reporters Wednesday that women must continue to fight to preserve what they have accomplished, to better their circumstances, and to achieve equality.

"Beyond laws, let us celebrate the right to be women," Jean said, during a visit to Victoria, B.C.