Gender Equality in Words and Numbers

Voices you should hear and statistics you should know

“The fight for women’s rights is an unfinished struggle. We must continue, as long as there are injustices.” Huberte Gautreau, gender equity activist and co-founder of New Brunswick’s Crossroads for Women, a house for victims and survivors of domestic violence. ( Acadie Nouvelle, 2016, translated from French.) “Publicly funded child care can…support economic growth by increasing the participation of women in the labour force and expanding the tax base. Child care is not an expense but an investment towards a more genderbalanced, resilient economy.” Jasmine R. Rezaee, director of advocacy and communications at YWCA Toronto; Carolyn Ferns, public policy and government relations coordinator at the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care; Abigail Doris, executive director of the Toronto Community for Better Child Care; and Janet Davis, former Toronto city councillor. ( Now Magazine, 2020.) “This time, we’ll leave no woman behind.” Zanana Akande, the first Black woman elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. ( Toronto Women’s March, 2018.) “We are a dysfunctional nation because of past oppression. But only we can get ourselves out of our situation. People are still here who can teach us Aboriginal ways. And, while seeking the truth, we must be careful to be respectful of everyone.” Gloria May Eshkibok, Two Spirit Indigenous actor, singer, and community activist. ( International Women’s Day at York University, March 2000.)