March 8th - International Women's Day

March 8th is International Women’s Day, a global day to celebrate the accomplishments of women and highlight the need for gender equality. Here, equality means that everyone should have the same rights, responsibilities, and opportunities, regardless of their gender. International Women’s Day originated from labour movements in the early twentieth century and calls for women’s equality.

Workforce and workplace are one area of focus for our Municipal Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy. Although gender is just one facet of identity, we thought we’d share information about women in the workforce and actions we can take.

Did you know, in Canada….

• Although women make up just over half of the Canadian population, women are still underrepresented in political and professional leadership in Canada. Racialized women, Indigenous women, and women with disabilities are even less likely to be in leadership positions.
• Since 2020, 10x as many women as men have fallen out of the labour force.
• On average, women who work full time earn 76.8 cents for every dollar men make, despite the fact that women are just as qualified
  • 35% of women had a university certificate or degree, compared to 30% of men (2015)
  • Women and men in this study had been with their employers for the same amount of time, on average
  • The average earning is even lower for women who are racialized, Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and women who are newcomers

(Read more about the inequities women face here)

Why do these inequities exist?

• Fields that are dominated by women or involve caretaking tend to have lower wages
• Women still take on the majority of home-based labour and childcare responsibilities, leading more women to work part time
• Lack of affordable childcare leaves women with fewer options to work outside the home
• Women tend to take more time away from work when children are born or even for shorter durations when children or other family members are sick

What’s the impact?

• Women are over-represented in precarious work
• Women who do not see themselves represented in leadership roles may not feel they are qualified for those roles (regardless of their actual qualifications)
• Absences from work are stigmatized and are linked to fewer promotions and salary increases
• Women are at higher risk of living in poverty
  • The risk is higher for Indigenous women, racialized women, 2SLGBTQ+, newcomer women, and women living with disabilities
• Income and economic stability (or lack off) impact women’s health, well-being, safety, & quality of life

What can we do?

• Learn more about the accomplishments of women and the inequities women experience
• Support organizations that help women
• Support businesses owned by women
• Consider how issues in your work uniquely impact women
  • Gather and use data by gender
    • We can only count what we measure – options should be inclusive in recognition of the spectrum of ways people may identify their gender
• Use neutral terminology in job descriptions and consider what is truly a must in terms of ‘required’ skills and qualifications
• Create pathways to leadership for women, including mentorship and professional development opportunities
• Support afforadable childcare.

On International Women's Day, we acknowledge the women who have forged pathways, and encourage everyone to take action throughout the year to support all women to thrive.