Women's Rights & Social Change · Term 3

Gender Equality Today & Intersectional Feminism

Assessing the current state of gender equality and intersectional feminism.

About This Topic

The role of women in the Canadian workforce has undergone a dramatic shift over the last century. This topic traces the evolution from the temporary entry of women into industrial jobs during the world wars to the permanent and diverse presence of women in all sectors of the economy today. Students examine the barriers that women have faced, including the 'marriage bar' that forced women to leave their jobs once they married, and the ongoing struggle for pay equity.

The curriculum focuses on the impact of social and legal changes, such as the introduction of maternity leave and human rights legislation that prohibits gender-based discrimination. Students investigate the 'glass ceiling' and the challenges of balancing work and family life. This topic benefits from analyzing labor statistics and collaborative investigations into the history of specific professions. Students grasp the complexity of workplace equality faster through peer-led discussions and by investigating the current state of the gender pay gap in Canada.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Workforce Timeline

In small groups, students create a timeline of women's participation in the workforce, identifying key moments like the world wars, the 1970 Royal Commission, and the introduction of pay equity laws. They discuss the factors that drove these changes.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Stations Rotation: Barriers and Breakthroughs

Set up stations on the 'marriage bar,' the fight for maternity leave, and the first women in traditionally male professions (e.g., law, medicine, trades). At each station, students identify the specific obstacles women faced and how they were overcome.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: The Gender Pay Gap Today

Students look at current data on the gender pay gap in Canada across different industries. They discuss with a partner why they think the gap still exists and what further changes are needed to achieve true pay equity.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Women only started working outside the home in the 1960s.

What to Teach Instead

Women have always worked, but their labor was often unpaid (on farms or in the home) or in low-paid 'female' sectors like domestic service or textiles. Peer research into 'women's work' before the 1960s helps students see the long history of women's economic contribution.

Common Misconception

The gender pay gap is just because women choose lower-paying jobs.

What to Teach Instead

While job choice is a factor, the gap also exists within the same professions and is driven by systemic issues like the 'motherhood penalty' and unconscious bias. Using a 'Root Cause' analysis helps students understand the complexity of pay inequality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'marriage bar'?

It was a common practice in many Canadian workplaces (including the civil service and teaching) until the mid-20th century that required women to resign from their jobs as soon as they got married, based on the belief that their primary role was in the home.

When was maternity leave introduced in Canada?

The first federal maternity leave legislation was passed in 1971, providing 15 weeks of paid leave through the unemployment insurance system. This was a major victory for the women's movement and helped women stay in the workforce after having children.

What is pay equity?

Pay equity, or 'equal pay for work of equal value,' is the principle that jobs traditionally held by women should be paid the same as jobs traditionally held by men if they require similar levels of skill, effort, and responsibility.

How can active learning help students understand women in the workforce?

Active learning strategies, such as investigating the workforce timeline and analyzing pay gap data, help students understand the systemic and social forces that shape women's economic lives. By engaging with the history of barriers and breakthroughs, students move beyond seeing workplace equality as a 'finished' goal to seeing it as an ongoing process. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of the importance of economic justice and the role of policy in achieving it.

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