Toronto – Women continue to face persistent pay equity challenges, underrepresentation in high-paying jobs, a disproportionate load of caregiving responsibilities, and a lack of pathways for career growth. Unlocking economic and leadership opportunities for women will lead to a more prosperous and resilient economy for everyone in Canada.
Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced up to $100 million for 163 projects to improve economic and leadership opportunities for women across Canada. This funding will address systemic barriers to women’s economic participation and success, including harassment, discrimination, limited access to mentors and networks, and lack of flexible work arrangements. The projects will advance gender equality through one or more of the following ways:
- Changing gender norms and attitudes by working to change beliefs, assumptions, and stereotypes based on gender and other identity factors.
- Supporting changes to authority, voices at the table, and decision-making power by working to address power imbalances to ensure women are part of the dialogue and solution.
- Increasing networks and collaboration by building and strengthening partnerships to work across sectors and break down silos.
- Encouraging more effective and equitable sharing of resources by sharing, mobilizing, and redistributing resources to support equality.
- Changing policies and practices by creating, changing, or removing policies and practices to address sexism and other barriers to gender equality.
This funding supports Women and Gender Equality Canada’s continued work to advance equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression through the inclusion of people of all genders, including women, in Canada’s economic, social, and political life.
“Many women continue to face challenges that include balancing caregiving responsibilities, navigating pay inequities, and struggling to access leadership opportunities. These barriers disproportionately impact racialized and underrepresented communities. That is why this $100 million dollar investment to support 163 projects is creating mentorship opportunities, flexible work arrangements, and career pathways – which are all means to increase women’s economic participation. It is our government’s commitment to break through systemic barriers and reflect our belief that every woman deserves the chance to thrive and lead. When women have the opportunities they need to succeed; families and communities are stronger.” – Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth