Business for Gender Equality 2020

Business for Gender Equality 2020: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward for Canadian Workplaces

On December 2, 2020, Global Compact Network Canada (GCNC) hosted its first virtual forum, Business for Gender Equality: A forum to fast-forward progress in the Canadian private sector. The forum marked the conclusion of GCNC’s three-year project, Gender Equality Leadership in the Canadian Private Sector (funded by the Department for Women and Gender Equality), which included the launch of the Blueprint and Maturity Model, two comprehensive, original tools that are freely available for organizations and individuals looking to advance gender equality in the workplace. The forum also featured a number of keynote addresses, high-level panels, and interactive discussions reflecting on the current and future status of gender equality and workplace inclusion in Canada.

Here are five key takeaways from the forum discussions:

1. We are stronger together. The private sector must collaborate with one another by sharing best practices, learned knowledge, and realistic solutions to raise the bar for all employees and workers in Canada.
2. Intersectionality must be an intentional aspect of all gender equality and inclusion efforts, reinforced by specific accountability mechanisms.
3. There is no individual action that is too small; systems can only change when the people that comprise them adjust their way of working and thinking.
4. GCNC will continue its collaboration with the private sector to advance gender equality by offering local network members the opportunity to participate in Target Gender Equality, a UN Global Compact initiative to help organizations set and meet ambitious corporate targets.
5. Progress may feel slow at times, but there is a community of change-makers, advocates, and leaders making strides across sectors. Elevate and give platforms to those working to advance gender equality so they can continue to raise awareness, build capacity, and demonstrate the benefits that come from prioritizing inclusion.

As we reflect on the success of Business for Gender Equality, GCNC would like to thank all speakers for providing meaningful insights and key action items to help spark change. We would also like to thank the following sponsors for their bold commitment to advancing gender equality: Baker McKenzie, BASF Canada, Nutrien, Lucara Diamonds, Scotiabank, TELUS, Blake, Cassels & Graydon, Global Affairs Canada, Power Corporation of Canada, Teck, Turner & Townsend, and the Pay Equity Commission of Ontario. Finally, we would like to thank all the attendees for contributing to the forum and fast-forwarding action on SDG5 in Canada.

To learn more about what you can do to advance gender equality in your workplace, please visit the Blueprint for Gender Equality website here.

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