DIVERSITY OF WOMEN
Women experience cities differently than men because traditionally we have assumed different roles and responsibilities. In spite of gains made by women, inequalities between women and men still persist. These differences and inequalities are even greater for women who are part of social groups that also face other forms of discrimination: Aboriginal, visible minority, francophone, living on low-income, youth or senior, single mother, recent immigrant, lesbian, transgendered, or rural residents.
This is why we designed the Gender Equality Lens to help the City of Ottawa to ensure that city services and programs address these differences and inequalities.
Including the Full Diversity of Women
As a woman living in Ottawa,
I have much to contribute
to good decision making in our city.
I experience certain barriers
just because I am a woman,
So I have insights into what is needed
to create safe homes,
workplaces and neighbourhoods,
family-friendly spaces,
and access to services.
and yet,
there are times
when my views, as a woman,
are dismissed or closed out.
To really know what I have to contribute
and ways in which my voice is not heard,
you must look further
to know more about me
The language I speak,
the colour of my skin, my ethnicity, and culture.
my marital status, my education,
where I was born, how long I’ve lived here
my distance from the urban centre,
my sexual orientation and identity,
whether or not I have children,
my social class, my income, my age,
whether I am Métis, Inuit or First Nation,
whether I have been incarcerated,
my physical and mental abilities
all combine to make me a unique woman
with specific ways of being denied access
with certain power and privilege
with unique insights into life in our city
that are as valuable as those of men
who also share these multiple identities
When we are all heard
Ottawa will benefit
from being an inclusive city
