When Brock scientist Liette Vasseur hears the word feminism, she thinks of the need for gender equality, equity and parity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe word feminism, for me, is related to the importance of recognizing that both men and women are important contributors in all aspects of life,\u201d she says. \u201cThe word has evolved over time. In the early 1900s, it was about trying to get the right to vote and now it\u2019s about equality, gender parity and respecting the different values of men and women.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vasseur, Brock University Biological Sciences professor, is the leader of two organizations aimed at forwarding the push for equality in science and tech. She is the president of the Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT) and president-elect of the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are all the non-traditional positions women have,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe still have a lot of work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
She says it\u2019s hard to attract and retain women to work in science, technology and the trades. That\u2019s not just because of wage disparity or discrimination, which are both ongoing issues. There are also barriers\u00a0with flexibility and accommodations as basic as washroom facilities for women in some workplaces.<\/p>\n
Vasseur said International Women\u2019s Day \u2013 March 8 \u2013 is a reminder of the work being done to bring equality to women. It\u2019s also a reminder of how much work is left to do.<\/p>\n
At the recent world economic forum, the gender gap was discussed among world leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.<\/p>\n
The panel heard a startling statistic, Vasseur says.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the current rate of change, it will take until 2133, over 100 years, to reach gender parity,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
She says Trudeau\u2019s appointment of a cabinet made up of an equal number of men and women was a significant step in Canada.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe still have a long way to go,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Vasseur pointed to a Yale study on unconscious gender bias in which science faculty at six major institutions evaluated applications for a lab manager job. In the double-blind study, applications randomly assigned a male name were rated significantly more hirable and offered a higher starting wage compared to identical applicants with female names.<\/p>\n
Vasseur says CCWESTT is holding a conference in Ottawa in May where they will be discussing the need for more action when it comes to gender equality.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to really focus in on the solutions and reduce the gap between men and women,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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