2015 was a year of progress on gender equality and women’s rights in Canada.
Inclusive Leadership
We voted for the #countrywewant and elected a record number of women in the federal election (#elxn42), ending the year with a gender-equal parliament and a feminist Prime Minister. While many tried to discredit this overdue move toward gender parity in government as affirmative action without merit, the women appointed as ministers are more than qualified.
There was a chorus of voices calling for an end to gender-based violence in November and December.
On Nov. 19 and 20, the Ontario government brought together policy makers, service providers and activists for a summit on sexual violence and harassment or #SVHAP2015. Participants shared innovative ideas, discussed how to raise public awareness, support survivors, create safer campuses and workplaces, and spark a change in attitudes and behaviours. The Ontario government also released its second #ItsNeverOkay video and federal Minister for the Status of Women @PattyHajdu announced that the government would create a national action plan to address violence against women—a long sought-after commitment.
October is Women’s History Month in Canada, so last month’s e-feminism looked back at how far we’ve come and set its sights on where we’d like to be.
#WomensHistoryMonth and #womenshistory highlighted the achievements of the women’s movement in Canada. In honour of the occasion, we also took a look back at our history and the 8 trail-blazing women who founded the Canadian Women’s Foundation.
The Ontario Women’s Directorate took a different approach with #ALeadingWoman, focussing on women’s leadership today, while others looked to the future.
With a federal election just weeks away, September’s online feminist activism was politically charged.
Much of the conversation centred around Up for Debate’s sold out event in Toronto and related events across the country. This meant that #UpforDebate became a unifying hashtag for women’s advocates in Canada.
Throughout September, organizations and individuals organized events focussing on women’s political representation and participation, and a host of gendered issues. For example, Whitby, Stratford and London hosted all candidates meetings on issues important to women, Halifax hosted a candidate’s debate on women’s issues, and Vancouver hosted a public education event on women's equality and why your vote counts.
August’s online activism was all about #consent.
The month started with the unfortunate emergence of pickup artist, Roosh V, and a widely shared petition to ban him from visiting Canada. The petition didn’t keep him out but it did get people talking, and #DenyRooshV became a rallying cry for those opposed to his pro-rape message.
While in May feminists delighted in the schadenfreude of #HowToSpotAFeminist and in June many celebrated the legalization of gay marriage in the US with #LoveWins, July’s online activism took a somber turn.
Last month, #WhatHappenedToSandraBland brought attention to the disturbing death of #BlackLivesMatter activist Sandra Bland.
Stopped for a minor traffic violation in Texas and found dead in police custody days later, Bland’s death has raised awareness and questions about state violence, institutionalized racism, the vulnerable bodies of black women, and the dangers of “driving while black”.
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