To achieve gender equality and equality and empower all women and girls.
Goal 5 aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.
Taking Action
Initiatives at Brock University
Brock Women in Leadership group
The Women in Leadership group provides a space where women can show support for other women in various leadership positions. It enables future women-identifying leaders through focusing on increasing and improving opportunities for leadership roles for women.
Brock Hosts Gender Equality Event
Brock hopes to help encourage women and girls of all ages to pursue careers in STEM. They focus on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA).
Sport Helps Everyone Make Allies (SHEMA)
A new student lead group, SHEMA, looks to empower women and diverse social groups through the sports industry. They promote inclusive, accepting, and supportive environment in the Sport Management Program at Brock.
Free Access to Menstrual Products on Campus
Menstruation is an unavoidable reality that people born with a uterus have to manage. It can cause an additional strain on finances as menstrual products such as tampons, pads, menstrual cups etc. have very high costs. Brock looks to ease the burden on those who menstruate, providing free menstrual products via vending machines in bathrooms.
Women in STEM Event
A panel of women shared their experiences over a weeklong event in Feb. 2023 to encourage women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. The women in STEM event was open to the public attendees were able to discover where the women are now, challenges they faced, and opportunities they experienced.
Brock’s Canada Research Chairs: Women Representatives
Brock is delighted to have five Canada Research Chairs represented by women. There are only ten active CRCs in total, making Brock above the CRCP national average of 44.3%.
THE IMPACT RANKINGS
As part of Brock’s 2022 submission to THE Impact Rankings, we shared information on how the university is working toward achieving gender equality. This information ranked us in the top 200 of over 930 institutions around the world and gave us a score of 61.6/100.
Some key information we summitted includes:
- Brock has a mentoring program called Women in Leadership designed to support women in formal and informal leadership positions and encourage the next generation of female leaders.
- Brock offers scholarships specifically for women including the Marion and Ren Henderson Scholarship, which is awarded to a female student entering university with high academic achievement and the CFUW St. Catharines Scholarship, which is awarded to a first-generation undergraduate female student who demonstrates academic excellence.
- Brock offers a program called Scientifically Yours, which is a two-day residential workshop designed to encourage young people in Grades 10 and 11 to continue their studies in the sciences and to pursue careers in science-related fields. The program promotes females in STEM.
Initiatives in the Niagara Region
YWCA of the Niagara Region
The Young Women’s Christian Association of the Niagara Region, located in St. Catharines, is dedicated to providing a support network and advocacy group for women in the Niagara Region. They offer help in times of crisis, as well as education and empowerment for women in need of a helping hand.
Niagara Region Forms Women’s Advisory Committee
A unanimous council vote supported the formation of a women’s advisory committee in the Niagara Region to advocate for gender equity and gender-based resolutions. The committee is an avenue to create opportunities for growth and leadership in Niagara for all women.
Solidarité des femmes et familles immigrantes francophones du Niagara (SOFIFRAN)
SOFIFRAN is a project designed to help with the social and economic combination of francophone women immigrants in the Niagara Region. It is a 36-month project, where work with child care services, school boards, city councils, transportation companies, and others will establish a model to address the barriers francophone immigrant women face to employment.
Period promise initiative
The Period Promise initiative by United Way mobilizes citizens to be a part of the solution for those who are living in poverty or are vulnerable in other ways and for whom access to tampons, pads or cups is challenging.
Individual Actions
If you wish to help by volunteering, there are some great opportunities where you can help make a change such as:
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentoring program provides girls and young women with a role model to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with.
- Canadian Federation of University Women, a local, provincial, national, and international organization of women. A non-profit group who are committed to the: pursuit of knowledge, promotion of education, and the improvement of the status of women and their human rights.
- Encourage gender training and education at your company.
- Represent gender equality in your home.
- Look to and support women leaders.
- Stand up for woman rights.
- Let media outlets know it is not alright to portray women as inferior, less intelligent or incompetent compared to males.
- Increase female leadership roles in the workplace.
- Encourage scholarships for girls to attend school, especially those in science, technology, and engineering.
- Set a good example to youth and ensure you use equal decision making skills.
THE Evidence
Brock University tracks the application, acceptance, and registration rate of those who identify as women. The University’s Institutional Planning, Analysis & Performance Department reports student access measures, ensuring that gender-based participation metrics are regularly analyzed and reported. This systematic approach to measuring and tracking the engagement of women with the institution reflects Brock’s commitment to transparency and evidence-based decision-making in advancing gender equality across campus.
Through these data-driven tracking measures, Brock monitors not only application and acceptance rates but also graduation completion rates, providing a holistic view of women’s academic journey from initial interest through to degree completion. This approach enables the University to identify trends, recognize barriers, and implement targeted interventions where needed, particularly for women in fields in which they have been historically under-represented. This aligns with Brock’s broader efforts to ensure equitable access and success for all students. By maintaining these comprehensive records, Brock demonstrates accountability in its gender equity initiatives and creates a foundation for continuous improvement in supporting women’s participation and achievement throughout their university experience.
Brock University is committed to equitable, transparent, and non-discriminatory admissions practices. Admission decisions are based on academic qualifications and established program requirements and are not influenced by gender, gender identity, gender expression, family status, pregnancy status, or other protected grounds. Admissions processes are gender-blind, ensuring all qualified applicants have equal opportunity to access higher education. Brock also works to remove barriers to participation and supports the recruitment, admission, and success of women, particularly in fields where women have historically been underrepresented.
Examples of initiatives supporting women’s access to higher education include:
- Women in Leadership: A mentoring and networking initiative that supports women in formal and informal leadership roles while helping develop the next generation of women leaders.
- Women in STEM Event: Connects girls and young women with women professionals and researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, helping participants explore opportunities and career pathways in STEM fields.
- Scientifically Yours: A residential science enrichment program designed to encourage secondary school students, particularly young women, to continue their studies in science and pursue science-related careers.
- Sport Helps Everyone Make Allies (SHEMA): A student-led initiative that promotes inclusion and creates opportunities for women and other underrepresented groups within the sport industry.
- Targeted Scholarships for Women: Brock offers awards including the Marion and Ren Henderson Scholarship and the CFUW St. Catharines Scholarship, helping reduce financial barriers to post-secondary education and supporting women’s academic success.
- Gender-Based Access Monitoring: Brock tracks application, acceptance, registration, and graduation data for students who identify as women, allowing the University to evaluate outcomes, identify barriers, and develop evidence-based initiatives that advance gender equity in student access and success.
Brock monitors application, acceptance, registration, and graduation data for students who identify as women through institutional reporting processes. These measures help the University evaluate progress, identify barriers, and support evidence-based initiatives that advance gender equity in student access and success. Through equitable admissions practices, targeted outreach, mentorship opportunities, financial support programs, and ongoing tracking of participation and success measures, Brock University works to ensure women have equal opportunity to access, enter, and succeed in higher education.
Brock University demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing gender equality through comprehensive women’s access programs that encompass mentoring, scholarships, and targeted support provisions. The university’s Women in Leadership (WIL) program exemplifies this dedication by supporting women in both formal and informal leadership positions while actively encouraging the next generation of female leaders. Through monthly meetings and exclusive invitations to the Niagara Leadership Summit for Women, participants benefit from an inclusive environment that celebrates female leaders and facilitates critical conversations surrounding women’s issues. This initiative creates valuable networking opportunities where women and allies can connect, share common goals and challenges, and engage with like-minded community leaders.
Complementing these mentoring initiatives, Brock offers targeted financial support through women-specific scholarships. The Marion and Ren Henderson Scholarship recognizes female students entering university with high academic achievement, while the CFUW St. Catharines Scholarship specifically supports first-generation undergraduate female students who demonstrate academic excellence. These scholarships address financial barriers that might otherwise prevent talented women from accessing higher education. Additionally, Brock’s equity-deserving student awards and bursaries, such as the Laura Sabia Entrepreneurial Award, provide further resources to support women’s educational pursuits. By combining mentorship opportunities with substantial financial assistance and leadership development programs, Brock creates a comprehensive ecosystem that enables women to access, succeed in, and lead within higher education, ultimately contributing to broader societal gender equality.
Brock University encourages women and girls to pursue studies and careers in disciplines where they have historically been underrepresented, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), leadership, and sport-related fields. Through outreach programming, mentorship opportunities, leadership development initiatives, and targeted support programs, Brock works to increase participation and success for women across a range of academic disciplines.
Examples of initiatives supporting women’s participation in underrepresented subjects include:
- Women in Leadership: Mentorship and networking opportunities that support women in leadership roles and help develop future women leaders.
- Women in STEM Event: Connects girls and young women with women researchers and professionals working in STEM fields.
- Scientifically Yours: A residential science enrichment program that encourages young women to pursue university studies and careers in science-related disciplines.
- Women in STEM: A student organization that promotes participation, mentorship, and community-building for women in STEM disciplines.
- STEMpower Women Outreach: Outreach sessions for girls in Grades 5 to 12 that highlight women role models, STEM careers, and educational pathways.
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Annual event featuring women researchers and scientists who inspire future generations to pursue STEM studies and careers.
- Women in STEM Academic Showcase: Showcases research conducted by women faculty members and graduate students while providing mentorship and role models for prospective students.
- Sport Helps Everyone Make Allies (SHEMA): Student-led initiative that promotes inclusion and creates opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in sport management and the sport industry.
- Women in STEM Graduate Leadership Award: Recognizes graduate students whose leadership, mentorship, and advocacy advance opportunities for women in STEM disciplines.
- Women Canada Research Chairs at Brock: Women hold five of Brock’s ten active Canada Research Chair positions, providing visible leadership and mentorship in research-intensive fields.
Through STEM outreach activities, leadership development programs, mentorship opportunities, recognition initiatives, and visible representation of women in research and academic leadership, Brock University actively works to increase the participation of women in fields where they have traditionally been underrepresented.
Brock University is committed to maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work and learning environment where all members of the University community are treated with dignity and respect. Through its Discrimination and Harassment Policy, Brock prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including sex, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, family status, marital status, and sexual orientation.
Brock’s policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, visitors, volunteers, contractors, and members of the University community, and extends to on-campus activities, University-sponsored events, and online environments connected to the University’s work and learning environment.
Examples of Brock’s commitment to preventing discrimination against women include:
- Discrimination and Harassment Policy: Prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, family status, and other protected grounds.
- Human Rights and Equity Office: Provides education, guidance, support, and resolution options related to discrimination, harassment, and human rights concerns.
- Discrimination and Harassment Procedures: Establishes formal procedures for reporting, resolving, and investigating complaints of discrimination and harassment.
- Complaint Resolution Mechanisms: Individuals may pursue personal resolution, alternative resolution, mediation, facilitated negotiations, systemic reviews, or formal complaint processes depending on the nature of the concern.
- Education and Prevention Initiatives: Brock provides training, awareness initiatives, and support services designed to prevent discrimination and harassment and promote an inclusive campus culture.
- Institutional Accountability: The University maintains clear responsibilities and reporting pathways through Human Rights and Equity, Student Affairs, People and Culture, and Campus Safety Services to address discrimination and harassment concerns.
Through its policies, reporting mechanisms, educational initiatives, and human rights supports, Brock University works to ensure that women can study, work, and participate in university life free from discrimination and harassment.
Brock University maintains a comprehensive policy of non-discrimination for transgender people through multiple institutional frameworks. The Discrimination and Harassment Policy explicitly addresses harassment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, defining it as any behaviour relating to an individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. The policy specifically prohibits rejecting or excluding individuals or groups because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, establishing clear protections against discrimination.
Brock demonstrates its commitment to gender equality through practical resources, including a Transgender Inclusion Guide that outlines non-discrimination provisions alongside supportive services. The university’s Employment Equity Policy further reinforces these protections across hiring and workplace practices. These policies reflect Brock’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive environment for transgender community members.
Brock’s dedication extends to tangible support through initiatives like the Gender Affirmation Fund, which provides financial assistance for gender-affirming needs. The university’s Human Rights and Equity Office coordinates educational programming and support services specifically designed to address the needs of transgender students, staff, and faculty. Through regular policy reviews, comprehensive training programs, and accessible complaint mechanisms, Brock ensures that its non-discrimination protections remain robust and responsive. This multi-layered approach—combining formal policy, practical resources, and dedicated support services—positions Brock as an institution actively working to ensure transgender individuals can study, work, and thrive in an environment free from discrimination and harassment.
Brock University maintains comprehensive maternity policies that actively support women’s participation across the institution. The university provides a supplemental top-up maternity benefit for eligible ongoing full-time employees receiving Employment Insurance benefits, offering 95% of regular wages less applicable EI weekly earnings for a portion of the maternity leave period. These provisions demonstrate Brock’s commitment to reducing financial barriers that might otherwise discourage women from pursuing or maintaining their careers during this significant life transition.
Through collective agreements with campus unions including the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, Brock ensures that pregnancy and parental leave rights align with the Ontario Employment Standards Act. Members are entitled to up to seventeen weeks of pregnancy leave, with an additional thirty-five weeks of parental leave for those who have taken pregnancy leave. For members not entitled to pregnancy leave, up to thirty-seven weeks of parental leave is available following the birth or arrival of a child. These policies recognize that women can begin their pregnancy leave at any time within seventeen weeks before the expected birth date, providing flexibility to accommodate individual circumstances and health considerations.
Brock University supports student parents and caregivers by providing access to on-campus childcare services and family-focused programming that help students balance academic responsibilities with family commitments.
Examples of childcare and family supports available to students include:
- Rosalind Blauer Centre for Child Care: A licensed childcare centre located on Brock University’s campus that provides care for infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and school-aged children. The centre serves Brock students, faculty, staff, and members of the broader community.
- On-Campus Childcare Access: Convenient access to childcare services on campus helps student parents participate fully in academic activities while reducing transportation and scheduling barriers.
- Early Childhood Education Programming: Rosie’s Kids provides age-appropriate educational, developmental, and recreational programming that supports children’s learning, growth, and well-being.
- Support for Student Parents: The availability of on-campus childcare assists student parents in balancing childcare responsibilities with coursework, research, experiential learning opportunities, and campus engagement.
- Kids and Camps Programs: Brock offers year-round children’s programming, including after-school clubs, PD Day camps, holiday camps, youth fitness programs, and summer camps that provide additional family-friendly supports for student parents and caregivers.
- Brock Summer Camps: Summer camp programs for children from kindergarten through secondary school provide educational, recreational, aquatics, sports, fitness, and enrichment opportunities while helping families meet childcare needs during school breaks.
Through accessible childcare services and family-focused programming, Brock University helps create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students with caregiving responsibilities.
Brock University supports faculty and staff with access to on-campus childcare services and family-focused programming that help employees balance professional responsibilities with caregiving commitments.
Examples of childcare and family supports available to faculty and staff include:
- Rosie’s Kids: A licensed childcare centre located on Brock University’s campus that provides care for infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and school-aged children. The centre serves Brock students, faculty, staff, and members of the broader community. It is a part of the Niagara Region’s fee-subsidy program. The Centre’s innovative Kinder-Forrest School Program provides an alternative to Junior Kindergarten, offering smaller class sizes and taking children outdoors into the campus forest twice weekly. This outdoor learning approach creates enriching experiences that connect young learners to nature.
- On-Campus Childcare Access: Convenient access to childcare services on campus helps faculty and staff balance work responsibilities with family commitments while reducing transportation and scheduling barriers.
- Early Childhood Education Programming: Rosie’s Kids provides age-appropriate educational, developmental, and recreational programming that supports children’s learning, growth, and well-being.
- Support for Employee Caregivers: The availability of on-campus childcare assists faculty and staff in balancing caregiving responsibilities with teaching, research, administration, and other professional duties.
- Kids and Camps Programs: Brock offers year-round children’s programming, including after-school clubs, PD Day camps, holiday camps, youth fitness programs, and summer camps that provide additional support for faculty and staff with school-aged children.
- Brock Summer Camps: Summer camp programs provide educational, recreational, aquatics, sports, fitness, and enrichment opportunities for children while helping employees meet childcare needs during school holidays and summer breaks.
Through accessible childcare services and family-focused programming, Brock University supports faculty and staff in balancing work and family responsibilities while fostering a more inclusive and family-friendly workplace.
Brock University supports women through mentoring, leadership development, networking opportunities, and peer-support initiatives designed to advance participation, retention, and success in higher education and professional careers. These programs connect women with mentors, role models, researchers, community leaders, and fellow students while fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Examples of women’s mentoring schemes at Brock include:
- Women in Leadership: Mentorship and networking initiative that supports women in formal and informal leadership roles while helping develop the next generation of women leaders.
- Women in STEM: Student organization that promotes mentorship, networking, and community-building opportunities for women pursuing studies and careers in STEM disciplines.
- Women in STEM Event: Connects girls and young women with women researchers and professionals who share experiences, challenges, and career pathways in STEM fields.
- Women in STEM Academic Showcase: Provides opportunities for students to learn directly from women faculty members and graduate students while building mentorship connections and professional networks.
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Annual event featuring women scientists and researchers who share their experiences and encourage girls and young women to pursue STEM education and careers.
- STEMpower Women Outreach: Outreach initiative connecting girls with women mentors and role models while promoting participation in STEM education and careers.
- Women in STEM Graduate Leadership Award: Recognizes graduate students whose leadership, mentorship, and advocacy help expand opportunities for women in STEM disciplines.
- Women Canada Research Chairs at Brock: Women holding leadership positions as Canada Research Chairs provide visible mentorship, research leadership, and role models for students considering academic and research careers.
Through mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives, networking opportunities, outreach activities, and visible women role models in research and leadership positions, Brock University actively supports the advancement and success of women throughout their educational and professional journeys.
Brock University tracks and publicly reports student retention and graduation outcomes by gender as part of its institutional planning and continuous improvement processes. Gender-disaggregated data is monitored annually by the Institutional Planning and Data Governance (IPDG) team to identify trends, evaluate student success, and support evidence-based initiatives that advance gender equity across the University.
Examples of Brock’s gender-based student success monitoring include:
- Retention and Graduation Reporting: Brock publishes annual retention and graduation reports that provide undergraduate student outcome data by faculty, department, and gender.
- Women’s Retention Rate Tracking: Brock’s 2025-26 reporting shows a Year 1 to Year 2 retention rate of 93% for women, demonstrating strong student persistence and progression.
- Women’s Graduation Rate Tracking: Brock’s 2025-26 reporting shows a 75% six-year graduation rate for women, allowing the University to monitor long-term student success outcomes.
- Gender-Based Performance Analysis: Retention and graduation outcomes are reviewed annually to identify trends, evaluate progress, and support institutional planning that promotes equitable student outcomes.
- Retention and Graduation Dashboard: Brock maintains a dedicated reporting system that enables ongoing review of retention and graduation indicators across faculties, departments, and student populations.
Through annual reporting, gender-disaggregated analysis, and ongoing monitoring of student success indicators, Brock University uses data-driven approaches to support the retention, progression, and graduation of women across all areas of study.
The reporting completed by IPDG directly informs the Human Rights and Equity Office, helping to identify barriers to student success and wellness that may disproportionately affect women. These insights inform evidence-based recommendations for funding, bursaries, and scholarships specifically designed to support students from equity-deserving groups.
Brock University maintains a comprehensive policy that protects those reporting discrimination from educational or employment disadvantage. The Safe Disclosure Policy establishes a robust framework to provide a mechanism for the University community to confidentially and, when required, anonymously disclose concerns about suspected improper activity, while explicitly protecting individuals who make good faith disclosures of suspected improper activity from reprisal.
This protection extends across Brock’s entire community, applying to all employees, students, volunteers, contractors, and suppliers. The policy ensures that anyone who comes forward with concerns about discrimination or other improper activities can do so without fear of educational penalties or employment consequences. Most recently revised in 2021, the policy underwent another comprehensive review in April 2024, demonstrating Brock’s ongoing commitment to maintaining current and effective protections.
Complementing this framework, the Human Rights and Equity Office serves as a vital resource for all Brock community members, providing information, education, assistance, and advice on issues related to human rights, harassment, discrimination, and bullying. The Safe Disclosure Policy helps inform the work of this office, ensuring that no one faces barriers when raising concerns about discrimination.
Together, these mechanisms reflect Brock’s dedication to fostering an environment where equity and fairness are protected through clear policies and accessible support services. The university’s approach recognizes that effective protection against discrimination requires not only strong policies but also the assurance that those who speak up will be safeguarded throughout the process, creating a culture where concerns can be raised safely and addressed appropriately
Brock University has established a comprehensive parental leave policy statement under which paternity leaves are addressed. This policy fully supports women’s participation by ensuring that non-gestational parents can actively participate in childcare duties. The university’s parental leave framework provides equitable access to leave provisions for all employees who become parents, whether through birth or adoption. Through collective bargaining agreements with campus unions including the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, Brock guarantees parental leave of up to 18 months in accordance with Ontario’s Employment Standards Act. This policy explicitly supports non-gestational parents by providing the same leave entitlements as gestational parents, thereby enabling fathers and non-birthing parents to fulfill their childcare responsibilities. The university further demonstrates its commitment through supplemental financial support, offering eligible ongoing full-time employees a top-up benefit of 95% of regular wages (less Employment Insurance benefits) for a portion of the period of leave. By ensuring that paternity and non-birthing parent-leave is accessible and financially viable, Brock actively promotes gender equity in caregiving responsibilities and supports women’s continued participation in the workforce.
