Gender Equity in Employment The Problem There is no country in the world where gender equality truly exists. Not yet. In Canada, women’s full-time employment levels have stagnated over the past 20 years and their representation in leadership is still well below that of men, despite having now surpassed men in the average level of education. Blocked by systemic barriers at each step of their working lives, women continue to be overrepresented in low-wage jobs, currently making up 59% of minimum wage workers. Unconscious bias among business leaders, work place harassment and violence, pay inequity and lack of employable skills are some of the challenges women face in the workforce. How We’re Taking Action YWCA Canada, along with local YWCAs across the country are working in partnership with corporate leaders to address this issue from the bottom up and top down. Through research, thought-leadership, training and advocacy, we're working with employers to create safer, more equitable workplaces where women and gender-diverse people can thrive. Through our network of local YWCAs, we're working with women and gender-diverse people to develop and refine in-demand skills, build networks and gain access to career opportunities in their own communities. In addition, we're also equipping our next generation of leaders. Through our Think Big! Lead Now! National Young Women's Leadership Program, young women and gender-diverse people from across the country access powerful online training to build the skills and networks they need take their rightful place at leadership tables. The three main focus areas of the program include: • Preparing young women and women to be job ready through training and capacity building • Building community awareness around changing attitudes and addressing barriers for women and young women, particularly around entering the workforce • Changing attitudes of business leaders and decision makers These initiatives directly reach more than 11,000 people through our partners’ network. It will send a strong message of how vital it is to recognize the inherent power of women, girls and gender-diverse people towards building a more equal and prosperous Canada.
Our Impact So Far
What YWCA Participants are saying about the program: “Without the Step Ahead Program (YWCA Halifax), I don’t know where I would be. This program was exactly what I needed to gain confidence and skills for finding work and re-entering the workplace.” “My YWCA instructor was the best teacher I had met in my life, she was calm, she was patient, she was tolerant and I don’t think I have seen any other teacher that teaches like that.” ‘My journey in Canada started in 2009, but overtime I met people and I realized that who brought me here wasn’t willing to give the information that I needed. As I started meeting other people and gathering more information, I learnt a lot.”