Around the world, March 8th marks International Women’s Day. A celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. A day to highlight the progress made since Caucasian women first won the right to vote in Canadian provinces just 68 years ago; it was another 9 years until Indigenous women were awarded that same right. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equity – this is just not happening fast enough.
According to The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report if we continue on our current path, we are still more than 200 years away from achieving gender equity. On average, women in Canada earn $0.87 for every dollar earned by men. This gender pay gap translates to women having worked 47 days without pay in 2018. In addition to that, some women experience a wider gap then others – women who are racialized, Indigenous, living with a disability, or newcomers to Canada earn even less.
Calgary has one of the largest wage gaps in Canada. Women only hold 32 per cent of management or leadership jobs. Women not only have a harder time getting in executive roles, but when they do they earn up to 30 per cent less than their male counterparts. In addition, female-dominated work is undervalued and underpaid relative to male-dominated work and women overwhelmingly end up in part-time and temp work, even though they want full-time work.
So what can we do? It is critical to be loud; not just one day a year, but everyday! We need to speak up. Ask questions about how your workplace ensures and advocates for equal pay for work of equal value. We need to highlight the work of women in our community and ensure they have the resources and supports they need to be successful and advance in their pursuit.
YW continues to speak up and out against systemic issues facing women each and every day. This International Women’s Day you can help women gain the skills they need to find meaningful employment through YW.
On March 8, YW is hosting the 6th annual YW CELEBRATE event, recognizing the achievements of women in our community and bringing awareness to issues of pay equity and gender parity. The event will include inspiring stories and conversations that educate and CELEBRATE women and girls in Calgary.
Funds raised from this event enable YW to provide programs and services that support women to secure and maintain sustainable employment through the YW Women’s Employment Resource Centre.
Double your impact with Benevity! For every $1 donated to YW, Benevity will match with an additional $1.
Donate today and help YW support women to thrive.
Check out some other community events in support of YW this International Women’s Day:
Chapters Indigo Fundraiser for YW – Each time you shop online through YW’s fundraising page, YW receives a portion of the proceeds.
Passage Yoga – Yoga each Sunday during March with funds raised supporting women at YW.
True Büch X The Ace Class International Women’s History Month flavour – True Büch Kombucha and the Ace Class have partnered to release a never before made flavour of kombucha for International Women’s Day with funds raised supporting women at YW.
Air Canada Adventure Raffle – Enter to win two round-trip Air Canada Business Class tickets anywhere they fly worldwide, valued at $18,656. All funds raised support women at YW.
