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Equity and Inclusion Office

International Women’s Day 2024

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a pivotal event that honours the myriad contributions of women and their achievements across social, economic, cultural, and political arenas worldwide. It serves as a time for introspection on the progress made towards gender equity, recognizing both the advancements and the continuous efforts needed to sustain this momentum.

The theme for IWD 2024, “Inspire Inclusion”, underscores the vital need to champion diversity and empowerment in every aspect of life. It is an urgent call to dismantle the barriers to gender equity, to challenge and overturn stereotypes, and to create environments where the value and contributions of every woman are recognized and celebrated.

What does it mean to truly inspire inclusion? It involves a commitment to embracing and celebrating diversity and empowerment, not only on IWD but year-round.

This year, “Inspire Inclusion” is a call for us all to appreciate and elevate the contributions of women from diverse backgrounds. It invites us to commit to building a more inclusive and equitable world where every woman has the opportunity to flourish, free from societal constraints.

McMaster University is committed to fostering a culture of inclusive excellence, which encompasses a series of prominent commitments across all levels of the institution, with a strong awareness of the intersectional challenges women experience.

  • Gender Equity Policies: Implementing and enforcing policies that advance gender equity in recruitment, retention, promotion, and pay, ensuring fair representation of women, particularly those from underrepresented groups, in all roles, including leadership. [1],[2],[3]
  • Support for Women in STEM: Offering specialized support for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), addressing the unique challenges faced by women, including racialized women, 2SLGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities in these fields through mentorship, networking and tailored resources.[4]
  • Work-Life Balance Initiatives: Addressing work-life balance with an understanding of the intersectional pressures on women, including caregiving responsibilities that disproportionately affect women of different socioeconomic statuses, races, and ethnicities.[5]
  • Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Measures: Creating a safe and respectful campus environment with robust anti-harassment and anti-discrimination measures that protect all women, including transgender and non-binary individuals, and provide comprehensive support for those impacted by harassment or discrimination.[6]
  • Professional Development Opportunities: Offering professional development programs designed to support the career advancement of women through leadership training, mentorship, and networking events, with a focus on supporting women from diverse racial, ethnic and social backgrounds.[7]
  • Scholarships and Financial Support: Establishing scholarships and financial aid programs specifically aimed at supporting women students, especially those from marginalized communities and in fields where they are underrepresented.[8]
  • Inclusive Curriculum and Pedagogy: Integrating an inclusive curriculum that reflects the diverse contributions of women across disciplines and adopting pedagogical practices that support diverse learning styles and backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of including perspectives from women of all races, cultures and social backgrounds.[9]
  • Wellness and Mental Health Services: Offering wellness and mental health services that cater to the specific challenges faced by women, including those related to gender-based violence, with a sensitivity to the different experiences of women from various
    identities.[10]
  • Community Engagement and Advocacy: Actively engaging with and advocating for women’s issues, both within the university community and in the broader societal context, including partnerships with organizations and initiatives that support women from all walks of life.[11]
  • Inclusive Excellence Frameworks: Developing and implementing inclusive excellence frameworks that embed gender equity into the fabric of institutional practices, culture, and decision-making processes, with a deliberate focus on addressing the intersecting identities and experiences of all women.[12]

This comprehensive approach not only honours the spirit of IWD but also reinforces our commitment to fostering an environment where the empowerment of every woman, with consideration for their diverse and intersecting identities, is a central pillar of our collective progress toward true gender equity.

The Equity & Inclusion Office’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) provides an extensive list of support resources for individuals affected by gender-based violence.

Thank you for advancing inclusive excellence at McMaster!

Dr. Barrington Walker, Vice Provost, Equity & Inclusion

Equity & Inclusion Office

[1] Home – Equity and Inclusion Office (mcmaster.ca)

[2] Policies – Equity and Inclusion Office (mcmaster.ca)

[3] Employment Equity FAQs – Human Resources (mcmaster.ca)

[4] McMaster Women in Science and Engineering Initiative – Graduate Students Association of McMaster University

[5] New policy encourages better balance between work and personal time at McMaster – Daily News

[6] Sexual Violence Prevention and Response (SVPR) Task Force – Equity and Inclusion Office (mcmaster.ca)

[7] Faculty & Staff | Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (mcmaster.ca)

[8] Scholarships & Bursaries – United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (mcmaster.ca)

[9] Home – Gender & Social Justice (mcmaster.ca)

[10] Student Mental Health Resources at McMaster – Mental Health at McMaster

[11] In support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community – Equity and Inclusion Office (mcmaster.ca)

[12] EDI Strategy – Equity and Inclusion Office (mcmaster.ca)