International Women’s Day: Canada’s Progress and Persistent Challenges
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark plan for achieving equal rights for women and girls globally. Adopted in 1995, the declaration urged governments to champion gender equality, protect women’s rights, and create a more equitable world. However, three decades later, Canada is still falling short of its commitments.
The Importance of Dedicated Institutions
A core tenet of the Beijing Declaration was the establishment of permanent, well-funded institutions dedicated to advancing gender equality. While some progress has been made, Canada’s commitment remains inconsistent. Several provinces still lack fully independent Ministries of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), and even the federal ministry has faced deprioritization and potential budget cuts.
Initially, Prime Minister Mark Carney considered eliminating the WAGE portfolio altogether, reinstating it only after significant pressure from women’s and social justice organizations. Recent reports of substantial budget reductions to WAGE have further fueled concerns that gender equality is viewed as politically expendable. These cuts threaten vital programs supporting women’s safety and economic security, particularly at a time when gender expertise is crucial.
The Rise of Digital Misogyny and the Need for Action
As highlighted by UN Women, the proliferation of digital misogyny poses a direct and urgent threat to gender equality. This online abuse manifests as cyberbullying and harassment, but its impact extends far beyond the digital realm, infiltrating real-life spaces like schools. Despite these growing concerns, Canadian governments have been slow to respond. For example, the AI Minister’s decision not to ban platforms like X (formerly Twitter) or its chatbot Grok, despite documented issues of “nudification” and personalized pornography, demonstrates a concerning lack of action. Powerful men fuel online abuse against women in politics and media, exacerbating the problem.
A Global Trend of Gender Rollback
This wavering commitment mirrors a global trend of institutional gender rollback, as warned by the UN, describing a “post-feminist retrenchment.” This shift is evident in recent policy changes and court cases in the United States, such as the blaming of “wine moms” for protests against ICE and the tragic death of Renee Good, dismissed by a Vice President as a “tragedy of her own making.” Blaming ‘wine moms’ for ICE protest violence is another baseless, misogynist myth.
While this anti-equity rhetoric is gaining traction, a recent report indicates that most Canadians hold positive views on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) measures in the workplace, with strong support from equity-deserving groups and younger workers.
Provincial Disparities and the Power of Ministries
Currently, six provinces maintain dedicated, stand-alone ministries for women and gender equality. In contrast, four provinces still lack such a ministry. The presence of a dedicated ministry allows for transparent budgeting, priority monitoring, and government accountability. Without it, gender programs are often buried within larger departments, becoming invisible and vulnerable to cuts.
Even at the federal level, the existence of WAGE is not a guarantee of sustained support. Prime Minister Carney’s mandate letter signaled a departure from his predecessor’s feminist approach, lacking any mention of feminism or gender equality. These cuts reflect a broader rejection of feminist policies, including in foreign policy.
Public Support for Gender Equality
Despite governmental hesitation, public opinion remains strongly supportive of gender equality. Recent polling data from Abacus Data reveals that 86% of Canadians support equal representation of women and men in politics, and 58% favor requiring political parties to nominate a minimum number of women candidates – a four-point increase from the previous year. This demonstrates a growing demand for legislated gender quotas and the institutions needed to implement them. Growing threats faced by women candidates undermine our democracy.
Investing in Equity for a Stronger Future
As the Beijing anniversary arrives amidst a global gender backlash, governments should be strengthening, not weakening, equality initiatives. Achieving gender parity could add US$342 trillion to the global economy by 2050, according to UN Women. Repositioning Canada on the global stage requires investing in all its citizens, not leaving half the population behind.
Now, more than ever, it’s critical to reaffirm our commitment to equity. In challenging times, leaders must embrace equity wholeheartedly, making it a cornerstone of a values-based approach to governance. Celebrating the increasing number of women in legislatures is not enough; real progress demands institutional power and stable funding for gender equality mandates.
