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“The designation of Gender Equity Week acknowledges that gender equality will not happen without targeted efforts, We have a long way to go, so let’s use this week to identify ways to reduce, and eventually end, gender inequality." — Elisabeth Ballermann, NUPGE Secretary-Treasurer
Ottawa (26 Sept. 2018) — September 23 to 29 is being celebrated as Gender Equality Week in Canada. This designation is the result of Bill C-309, the Gender Equality Week Act, which received Royal Assent on June 21, 2018. The theme for this first week of celebrations is gender equality benefits everyone. The government says the theme is inspired by the vision of a gender equal society and the benefits of advancing gender equality to women, men and people of all gender identities. "When we make progress towards gender equality, #EveryoneBenefits!" says the government website.
Long way to go to achieve gender equality
To kick the week off, the Prime Minister attended a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. He used the opportunity to promote the government's agenda of promoting women's equality. "“Standing up for gender equality is a top priority for the Government of Canada. We appointed the first ever gender-balanced federal Cabinet and, in 2018, we put gender equality at the centre of both the federal budget and Canada’s G7 presidency. We have taken action to protect gender-diverse Canadians from discrimination, reduce the gender wage gap, support women entrepreneurs, and prevent and address gender-based violence," Trudeau said in a statement.
"As we know, there are still enormous challenges to equality," says Elisabeth Ballermann, Secretary-Treasurer of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). "Harassment, discrimination and violence take place in, and outside, the workplace. The work being done as caregivers is undervalued in economic terms. There remains an absence of our voices at the top decision-making levels in business and in government."
“The designation of Gender Equity Week acknowledges that gender equality will not happen without targeted efforts, We have a long way to go, so let’s use this week to identify ways to reduce, and eventually end, gender inequality," said Ballermann.
More information:
NUPGE Backgrounder: Pay Equity