International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the gains that have been made toward achieving fairness and equity for women in Canada and around the world. It is also an occasion to remind ourselves that many inequities and injustices remain.

In Canada’s universities and colleges, women continue to face sexism, harassment, and violence on our campuses. All women – but particularly Aboriginal and racialized women— continue to be underrepresented in senior academic ranks and are more likely to experience precarious employment. Women are also underrepresented within disciplines such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics.   

This ongoing gender disparity in post-secondary education was illustrated recently when the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council announced its awards. Only 17% of the 130 NSERC Canada Research Chairs were awarded to women, and it was just the first time since 1991 that a woman was the recipient of the NSERC Gerhard-Herzberg Medal for sustained excellence.

As we recognize this year’s International Women’s Day, CAUT and its members are proud to celebrate past achievements, and remain steadfast in pursuing equality and justice for all women.

Media contact:

Angela Regnier, Communications Officer, Canadian Association of University Teachers; 613-726-5186 (o); 613-601-6304 (cell)