Women’s Program Evaluation
The Women’s Program, established in 1973 following the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, has evolved to become a key driver of gender equality in Canada. It was integrated into Status of Women Canada in 1995 later becoming the Department for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) in 2018.
Program overview
Evaluation overview
Evaluation recommendations
Management response and action planProgram overview
The Women’s Program aims to address systemic barriers to women’s equality and promote women’s full participation in Canada’s economic, social, and democratic life. The Program supports time-limited projects, organized under three priority areas:
- Improving women’s and girls’ economic security and prosperity
- Encouraging women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles
- Ending violence against women and girls
Budget 2007 increased the Program’s Permanent funding (A-based) from $10 million to $19 million annually. Budget 2018 and Budget 2019 provided an additional $100 million and $160 millionFootnote 1 in temporary funding over 5 years, respectively.
Evaluation overview
This evaluation covers fiscal years 2016-17 to 2021-22 and provides comprehensive, reliable evidence to support decision-making, innovation, accountability, and improvements to policy and programs. It also identifies insights, best practices and lessons learned. The evaluations’ scope was shaped by the information needs of internal and external stakeholders and commitments outlined in foundational program documents. Five issue areas were examined: relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability.
The Women’s Program funded 533 projects through calls for proposals (CFPs) and an additional 60 through continuous intake (CI). Program resources reached over 1.1 million people directly, supported by more than 1,800 tools distributed via social media and awareness campaigns.
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Evaluation conclusions
The Women’s Program is seen as a critical driver of gender equality in Canada. While it has achieved meaningful progress and is valued by stakeholders, continued focus is needed on clarifying the distinct roles of the Program enhancing data collection, and securing sustained funding to address systemic barriers.
Relevance
- By providing project and capacity-building funding to women’s organizations at all levels, the Program continues to play a key role in advancing gender equality in Canada.
- Its objectives and approach remain well aligned with federal priorities, policy frameworks, and the intersectional needs of women and gender-diverse people.
- The Program has shown responsiveness through its focus on capacity-building and sustainability, though some stakeholders remain unclear about the distinct roles of GBV initiatives within Women and Gender Equality Canada.
Coherence
- The Program has shown coherence through strategic partnerships and collaboration with provinces, territories, sector actors, and Indigenous organizations.
Effectiveness
- The Program has made substantial progress toward short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes by fostering strong networks, supporting resource development, and enhancing organizational capacity.
- Evidence indicates contributions to more inclusive policies, practices, and some systemic change through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy; however, measuring long-term impacts and collecting disaggregated data remain challenging.
Efficiency
- The Program demonstrates efficiency and adaptability, with stakeholders consistently satisfied with its flexibility, funding processes, and supports.
Sustainability
- Sustainability is more evident through continued use of resources, strengthened partnerships, and enhanced organizational capacity.
- Job precarity, staff turnover, and limited post-project funding threaten long-term impacts, especially for smaller organizations.
Recommendations
Based on the program’s contextFootnote 2 , the Women’s Program should continue to adapt its approach to ensure alignment with emerging priorities.
- Support initiatives that will strengthen and enhance the long-term stability of the women’s sector to address persistent barriers that impede women’s economic security and leadership opportunities.
- Clarify and streamline the various gender-based violence initiatives where appropriate to enhance stakeholders’ understanding and maximize internal and external efficiencies.
- Implement improved data collection and analysis strategies to better measure the impact of the Women’s Program’s initiatives.
Management response and action plan
WAGE will:
- Align program implementation with current and emerging priorities in a way that strengthens individual women’s organizations and the women’s sector.
- Support funding applicants’ understanding of WAGE’s role and approach in preventing and addressing GBV, and how this is reflected in GBV funding opportunities.
Develop reference materials to ensure internal stakeholders are knowledgeable about each GBV-related funding opportunity. - Develop clear outcomes and related indicators.