| Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada |
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SWAAC Equity Framework (Click here for the French version)
(Proposed)
The UN Women’s mandate is to empower women and to achieve gender equality by 2030. Inspired by this goal the HeForShe IMPACT 10x10x10 framework was launched in 2015. This IMPACT invited 10 champion partners from government, work, and academe, to make three organizational/institutional commitments towards gender equality and report publicly on their progress. In Canada, The University of Waterloo was one of the 10 academic partners. You can learn more about Waterloo’s engagement in IMPACT 10x10x10 here.
Recognizing the long-term persistence of significant under representation, Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada is committed to supporting the advancement of women, and those that identify as women, in post-secondary institutions in Canada. While at some levels of administration progress can be seen in terms of the advancement of women and underrepresented groups, at the most senior levels, very little change has materialized over the last two decades. Meaningful progress is dependent upon institutions making explicit and purposeful commitments to support diversity, address intersectionality, and develop the support of allies.
Intersectionality is a way of conceptualizing identity and its relationship to power. It is when individuals are disadvantaged or privileged by multiple identity markers (e.g., Indigeneity, race, disability, age, class, gender, identity, sexual orientation, religion, etc.).
Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada is pleased to propose the launch of the SWAAC Equity Framework. The proposed Framework has three goals:
- Attract and advance female leaders into senior academic and administrative post-secondary positions;
- Attract and advance female leaders particularly into the senior executive roles of Vice-President or President (or equivalent);
- Support the engagement of senior women in SWAAC as a way of developing networks, connecting with mentors, and experiencing leadership professional development.
Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada is inviting post-secondary institutions in Canada to join as partners in the SWAAC Equity Framework.
As a SWAAC Equity Framework partner institution, your ongoing progress in terms of your targets and timelines will be reported on our website and we will recognize your commitment in any employment ads posted with us.
Consider joining as an institutional partner committed to supporting the UN’s Mandate to achieve gender equality by 2030.
HOW IS THE SWAAC EQUITY FRAMEWORK DIFFERENT THAN OTHER INITIATIVES IN CANADA?
There are various initiatives in Canada aimed at supporting underrepresented groups in post-secondary institutions. As a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), Universities Canada has launched a five-year action plan. The Government of Canada recently introduced the Dimensions Charter which also focuses on EDI in and related to research. The main difference between the SWAAC Equity Framework and these initiatives and, consistent with UN Women IMPACT 10x10x10 Framework, is the bold move to set targets for the advancement of women to the most senior roles. The SWAAC Equity Framework also unites universities, colleges, and poly-technical institutions in Canada.
NEXT STEPS
Feedback was invited from the SWAAC Membership and all post-secondary presidents (or designates). On November 26th, the SWAAC Executive reviewed the stakeholder feedback and is moving forward with the full development of the SWAAC Equity Framework which will be presented to the membership at our AGM in Regina at our Annual Meeting (see https://www.uregina.ca/external/swaac/).
MORE INFORMATION OR TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN PARTNERING
Information about our progress will be available at (http://www.swaac.ca/equity-framework.html ). We hope your interest will continue in partnering with SWAAC on this important initiative.
If you have any questions or would like to continue the dialogue in person, please email: swaacadmin@utoronto.ca.
SWAAC EQUITY FRAMEWORK PARTNERS
(FORTHCOMING)
