Progress is made by building on the work of the people who came before us and inspired us — whether that is 50 years ago, five years ago, or even last week. This year’s International Women’s Day theme of ‘women inspiring women’ speaks to just that. Today’s inspiring women leading, creating positive change, and making a difference, are building on the inspiration from women who came before them while inspiring those who will come next.
CAPE pays tribute to all the women in its membership, throughout the federal public service, across Canada and the world, who inspire and set good examples for future generations. Be it in small ways, or big sweeping changes, women are creating legacies that inspire others to build upon those platforms to help create a more equitable and just society for all. Let’s all take a moment to recognize the numerous achievements women have made, the challenges they have overcome, accept that more challenges still exist and pledge to do our part to address them for a better tomorrow.
According to the Women Leaders Index report 2019/20, Canada has the highest proportion of female senior civil servants of any G20 country, standing at 48.1 percent. This is a significant achievement and is up slightly from 46.4 percent in 2016/17. However, the work needs to continue. Women of all diversities deserve to be proportionally represented at all levels of government, especially in senior management positions and male-dominated professions.
CAPE is inspired by the many women-led and women-inspired equity-deserving groups, such as the Federal Public Service Women’s Executive Network. One of the newest groups, the Racialized Women Belonging Group, now serves a unique group within the federal public service. Building on the work of previous women but tailoring their efforts to their members’ specific needs, which traditionally have not been focused on, this group promises to help mobilize and advocate for racialized women and their unique lived experiences as an equity-deserving group.
CAPE continues to build and fight for a future full of opportunities for all women in the federal public service and beyond. A future with more representation, participation, and leadership roles in union activities. A future where women are empowered to succeed in the federal workplace. A future where promoting women’s full participation continues to support our members’ continued growth and prosperity. A future where women continue to inspire women.
