Equality Matters newsletter: September 2025
In this issue of Equality Matters, gear up for Gender Equality Week with WAGE’s digital toolkit. You can also explore our new webpage about ending gender-based violence (GBV) against Indigenous Peoples and read the latest Equality in Action article After the Parade for ways to support 2SLGBTQI+ friends and neighbours year-round. Plus mark the 20th anniversary of same-sex marriage in Canada!
Heads up! Women’s History Month is coming up in October. Keep an eye on WAGE’s social media channels to stay up to date on all the latest news and content.
Gender Equality Week
Gender Equality Week, September 21-27, is a time to reflect on how far we’ve come, celebrate women’s achievements, and recommit to closing the persistent gender gaps that hold too many back. Despite achieving a record 85.1% labour force participation rate in 2024, women aged 25-54 still earned only 87 cents for every dollar earned by men. It’s time compensation caught up with contribution.
Help spread the word by downloading and using WAGE’s Gender Equality Week toolkit, featuring ready-to-use material for social media to inspire action and spark conversation.
Want to learn more? Unsure what “women in the economy” actually means? Listen in for what you need to know in 3 minutes or less.
After the parade
Pride is more than a celebration—it’s a protest, a commemoration, and a call for lasting change. Our latest Equality in Action article reminds us that equality requires daily effort.
Here are some concrete ways to support neighbours, friends, and coworkers year-round, including:
- Adopt a lifelong learner mentality
- Take the time to reflect
- When you can, speak up
Ending gender-based violence against Indigenous Peoples
While anyone can be a victim of violence, Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada experience disproportionately high rates of gender-based violence. Our new webpage explains how WAGE, in partnership with Indigenous communities and other federal departments, collaborate and coordinate efforts to ensure meaningful progress is made.
20 years of love is love
This year marks the 20th anniversary of same-sex marriage becoming legal in Canada—a landmark moment for 2SLGBTQI+ rights. While there’s still work ahead, this milestone reflects the progress made toward a more inclusive society.
Explore key federal milestones and initiatives that have advanced the rights and well-being of 2SLGBTQI+ communities—and, in doing so, helped build a stronger Canada for all.
Behind Bars, Behind in Care
A new, first of its kind study, partially funded by WAGE, sheds light on significant health disparities among incarcerated individuals. It highlights the importance of trauma-informed, culturally safe, and equitable sexual and reproductive health services.
Read the full findings and how they can shape the development of better health policies.
Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
September 30 marks both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day—an opportunity to honour survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and acknowledge the lasting impacts of residential schools on individuals, families, and communities.
This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
Did you know?
91% of women in Canada who are homeless have experienced some form of violence or assault in their lifetime.
Source: Ending Homelessness For Women and Children Affected by Intimate Partner Violence | HomelessHub
In case you missed it
Have ideas for a topic in a future newsletter?
Share your thoughts with WAGE at FEGC.Intervenants-Stakeholders.WAGE@fegc-wage.gc.ca.
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