Closing Gender pay gap through business ownership

Gender inequality is manifested in social, economic, cultural, and political spheres with varying degrees. Canada has not achieved gender parity in terms of equal pay for equal work. According to a 2018 report by statistics Canada, women earned 87 cents for every dollar earned by men. Women of color and indigenous women are disproportionately affected by gender-based discrimination on employment and equal pay. Throughout the struggle for equal pay in Canada, women took center stage by participating at labor unions and forming their own groups within the union structure to advance women right of equal pay, maternity leave, and sexual harassment at the workplace, among others. Women also fought for greater representation within the leadership of the labor organizations.

On top of introducing new legislation to achieve pay equity, policy makers should consider investing more on women and youth entrepreneurship programs which can go a long way in advancing women business ownership to influence the decision-making process with regards to ensuring equal pay for equal value of work. Newlife Project Inc. initiatives are designed to stir entrepreneurial culture by availing skills development programs centered around creating an entrepreneurial mindset among women and youth in the communities we serve. The federal and provincial government and the private sector ought to double down on investments in education to enable girls and women to be represented in white collar jobs and become business owners. Newlife Project Inc. collaborates with diverse stakeholders to promote women owned small business and social enterprise initiatives. We feature selected business and Non-profit organizations on all our platforms to amplify the voice of women and youth movers and shakers in Ottawa.

Abraham Woldetensay

Coop student  at NewLife Project Inc

Centennial College, Scarborough Toronto