Economic equality in a changing world: Removing barriers to employment for women

Julie Cafley, Katie Davey, Tania Saba, Simon Blanchette, Ruby Latif et Valentina Sitnik (2020).

Forum des politiques publiques. Diversity Institute. Centre des Compétences futures, 39 pages.

Along with technology and sustainability, inequality is one of the three dimensions that shape the economic landscape of the 21st century.

Persistent inequality leads to marginalization, exclusion from growing economic sectors and erosion of the capacity for economic and social development. Studies on the economic impact of gender gaps assume men and women are likely to be born with the same potential, but disparities in access to education, health care, finances and technology, along with legal rights and social and cultural factors, prevent women from realizing this potential. The direct result is reduced productivity and lower economic growth.

Women’s lack of economic empowerment costs the economy anywhere from 10 percent of GDP in advanced economies to over 30 percent in South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. While Canadian women have made some progress in the labour market in recent decades, barriers to their full participation remain, thus significantly reducing the pool of talent available to employers.

Where there is equality, growth is stronger and more sustainable—the correlation is indisputable. Action is needed to alleviate gender barriers: Good intentions are no longer enough.