Gender Equality Week
The fourth week of September is Gender Equality Week in Canada, a time to highlight progress made to advance gender equality, celebrate women’s achievements, and reaffirm Canada’s commitment to closing persistent gender gaps that hold too many back. Gender Equality Week was created through Bill C-309, the Gender Equality Week Act, which became law on June 21, 2018.
Gender equality timeline
See how gender equality has evolved in Canada over the years
A Better World: Gender equality activity for youth
Take off on a fun, interactive storytelling activity for youth aged 7–12. This free activity gives you the tools you need to have meaningful conversations about gender equality in a simple and age-appropriate way
Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) online course
Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) helps ensure policies and programs work for everyone, regardless of gender or other identity factors such as age, race, religion, ethnicity, geography and ability. Applying GBA Plus broadens your understanding of gender equality by showing how different initiatives impact diverse groups. Learn more by taking the online course
Over 50 years of advancing gender equality in Canada
April 2026 marks 50 years since Status of Women Canada was created in 1976. Learn about decades of federal action to advance gender equality
Facts, stats, and impact: Gender equality
Find statistics about gender equality, progress that has been achieved, and work that remains
Equality in Action explainers: Women in the economy
Listen in for what you need to know about women in the economy in 3 minutes
Digital toolkit
Download these Gender Equality Week visuals and use them on your website, social media channels or virtual meetings.
Download all visuals (ZIP – 5.3 MB) or choose the content that is most important to you based on your needs.
How to save images to your computer or mobile device
(1) Select image
On a PC: Right-click on the image you want to download.
On a Mac: Hold down the Control key (Ctrl) and click on the image you want to download.
On a mobile device: Tap and hold the image you want to download until the menu appears.
(2) Choose “Save as”
The options on the contextual menu will vary, depending on which web browser you’re using. Some browsers may say “Save as” while others may say “Save image as” or “Save picture as.”
(3) Rename the file (optional)
A dialogue box will open, giving you the opportunity to change the file name or keep it as is.
(4) Choose a destination folder
Specify a location to save the downloaded image and click “Save.”
Web banner
Text version – Web banner
Gender Equality Week with six diverse people smiling and interacting: a senior woman with speech bubbles, a woman in a wheelchair, a child with stars above their head, a laughing woman, a woman giving a high-five, and a man returning the high-five. The Canada wordmark.
Use this banner for your web or intranet content.
Facebook and LinkedIn
Text version – Facebook and LinkedIn
Gender Equality Week with six diverse people smiling and interacting: a senior woman with speech bubbles, a woman in a wheelchair, a child with stars above their head, a laughing woman, a woman giving a high-five, and a man returning the high-five. The Canada wordmark.
Use this image for your Facebook and LinkedIn content.
Text version – Instagram
Gender Equality Week and two diverse people smiling and interacting: a woman giving a high-five, and a man returning the high-five. The Canada wordmark.
Use this image for your Instagram content.
Virtual meeting background
Text version – Virtual meeting background
Gender Equality Week and Semaine de l’égalité des sexes in French. The Canada wordmark.
Use this background during your virtual meetings.
Printable information factsheet
Text version – Printable information factsheet
The bilingual Women and Gender Equality Canada signature followed by the Gender Equality banner.
Gender Equality Week
The fourth week of September is Gender Equality Week in Canada.
This week is about :
- Celebrating and commemorating notable achievements and advancements of Canadian women.
- Addressing the challenges that Canadian women and individuals of minority gender identity and expression continue to face.
- Encouraging all Canadians to become and remain engaged, during Gender Equality Week and throughout the year, to achieve greater inclusiveness and full gender equality in Canada.
Why it matters
- There is a wage gap between men and women.
- Women are underrepresented in leadership and face barriers in education and in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
- Indigenous, newcomer, racialized, 2SLGBTQI+, and disabled women face disproportionate challenges.
- Gender-based violence continues to affect women at alarming rates.
Did you know?
Closing these gaps strengthens Canada’s economy and helps unlock the country’s full potential for growth and resilience.
Change is possible — and it takes all of us.
Together, we can build a more equal, inclusive, and stronger Canada.
How you can participate
Join or host a Gender Equality Week event
Share stories of women and gender-diverse leaders
Take action to advance gender equality in your community
Learn more, get the statistics!
The Canada wordmark.