OP-ED | Gender Equality: The Foundation of a Just and Thriving British Columbia
I did not come to this fight by choice—I was thrown into it by life’s relentless hardships. I have faced the kind of struggles that strip you down, that force you to see the world for what it is: a place where gender can determine your safety, your financial security, and your very ability to exist freely. It is these lived experiences that fuel my long-lasting commitment to advancing women’s rights in Canada.
As British Columbia grapples with economic and social challenges, one thing is crystal clear: gender equality is not just a lofty ideal—it is the foundation of a thriving, just society. Studies have shown that closing the gender gap could inject billions into Canada’s economy. But beyond numbers and statistics, this is about dignity, fairness, and the right to opportunity.
Despite progress in recent decades, systemic barriers continue to keep women, girls, and gender-diverse people from reaching their full potential. The disparities are glaring: women still earn less, face disproportionate violence, and struggle with housing and childcare. At our current rate, it will take 134 years to achieve true gender parity. That is not just unacceptable—it is a crisis.
Breaking the Cycle of Women’s Poverty
Poverty is a prison from which too many women in British Columbia cannot escape. In 2021, 22.2% of unattached women in this province lived in poverty. Indigenous women, racialized women, single mothers, and women with disabilities suffer even greater financial instability. The system was not built for us, but we can demand better.
We must take urgent action by:
Expanding access to affordable childcare to enable women to participate fully in the workforce.
Implementing a true living wage and strengthening income support systems.
Investing in stable, affordable housing, prioritizing survivors of violence, single mothers, and senior women.
Funding job training programs that provide childcare, mentorship, and transportation assistance.
Demanding Equal Pay for Equal Work
Women in Canada earn just 84 cents for every dollar a man makes. This gap is even wider for racialized, Indigenous, and newcomer women. It is not just about paychecks—it is about long-term security, about the fact that women retire with less and struggle more in their later years.
To close this gap, we must:
Enforce pay equity laws and demand wage transparency.
Conduct regular audits to ensure fair pay and career advancement.
Expand education and training in high-paying industries like tech and trades.
Reform workplace policies to support caregivers, recognizing that unpaid labor overwhelmingly falls on women.
Ending the Epidemic of Gender-Based Violence
The numbers are staggering, but they are more than statistics—they are women’s lives. Nearly 30% of women in British Columbia experience intimate partner violence. Femicide rates have doubled. Every name on that list is a woman who should still be here.
We must act now by:
Increasing funding for shelters, transition housing, and survivor support services.
Implementing mandatory gender-based violence prevention education in schools and workplaces.
Strengthening legal protections, including better access to legal aid.
Establishing workplace policies that protect and support survivors, such as paid leave and safety planning measures.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
Women in British Columbia are driving economic growth, but the system is still rigged against them. Women-owned businesses create jobs and strengthen our economy, yet they receive less funding and fewer opportunities.
To level the playing field, we need:
Expanded grant and loan programs that prioritize diverse women founders.
More government contracts awarded to women-owned businesses.
A gender lens should be applied to economic policies to ensure equitable access to funding.
Investments in AI and tech training to position women in the industries of the future.
A Call to Action: International Women’s Day 2025
On March 8, 2025, we will take to the streets of Kamloops for the International Women’s Day March. Our theme—“Accelerate Action”—is not just a slogan; it is a demand for real, tangible change. We are done waiting.
We call on policymakers, business leaders, and allies to commit to:
Gender-Responsive Policies & Funding – Investing in women’s shelters, employment programs, and legal aid.
Stronger Legal Protections – Expanding access to justice for survivors and eliminating workplace discrimination.
Closing the Wage Gap – Enforcing pay equity laws and providing career advancement opportunities for women.
Ensuring Housing Security – Expanding emergency and long-term affordable housing for women in crisis.
Investing in Women’s Health – Strengthening mental health services, trauma-informed care, and maternal health programs.
Join the Movement
The march in Kamloops will be a rallying cry for those who refuse to accept the status quo. We invite all who believe in gender equality to stand with us, amplify our message, and push for bold action.
Gender equality is not a distant dream—it is an urgent necessity. The time for half-measures is over. Let’s make change irreversible because the future of British Columbia depends on it.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Larose (She/Her/Elle)
Chief Executive Officer | Interior Women’s Centre Society
