Women and Gender Equity Strategy Phase 2

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In April 2021, the first Women and Gender Equity Strategy (WGES) was approved by Ottawa City Council. The strategy guides the City’s actions to advance women and gender equity through inclusive strategies and services.


Phase 1 of the strategy is underway and focuses on:

  • Introducing women and gender-sensitive policy changes internally in City’s plans, strategies and services,
  • Raising awareness of staff on women and gender equity, and
  • Integrating a gender lens in City data system.


As directed by Council, Phase 2 of WGES aims to implement meaningful change by working alongside community organizations. Phase 2 plans include the development of a strong internal and external strategic framework (2023-2025), which builds on the successes laid out by Phase 1 strategic framework (2021-2023).

The purpose of the Phase 2 engagement was to collect feedback from residents, community stakeholders and City staff on women and gender gaps and service needs, with a focus on the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, gender diverse persons, and non-binary persons.

For more information contact womengenderequity@ottawa.ca.


Phase 2 Engagement Findings

The purpose of the Phase Two engagement was to collect feedback from residents, community stakeholders and City of Ottawa staff on new women and gender gaps and service needs focusing on those caused by the pandemic. 

Priorities identified for Phase Two include:

  • Policy change for women and gender equity
  • Safety
  • Equitable representation of women
  • Gender inclusivity
  • Supporting men’s engagement and allyship
  • Effective engagement of Black and racialized communities


How to get involved:

In April 2021, the first Women and Gender Equity Strategy (WGES) was approved by Ottawa City Council. The strategy guides the City’s actions to advance women and gender equity through inclusive strategies and services.


Phase 1 of the strategy is underway and focuses on:

  • Introducing women and gender-sensitive policy changes internally in City’s plans, strategies and services,
  • Raising awareness of staff on women and gender equity, and
  • Integrating a gender lens in City data system.


As directed by Council, Phase 2 of WGES aims to implement meaningful change by working alongside community organizations. Phase 2 plans include the development of a strong internal and external strategic framework (2023-2025), which builds on the successes laid out by Phase 1 strategic framework (2021-2023).

The purpose of the Phase 2 engagement was to collect feedback from residents, community stakeholders and City staff on women and gender gaps and service needs, with a focus on the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, gender diverse persons, and non-binary persons.

For more information contact womengenderequity@ottawa.ca.


Phase 2 Engagement Findings

The purpose of the Phase Two engagement was to collect feedback from residents, community stakeholders and City of Ottawa staff on new women and gender gaps and service needs focusing on those caused by the pandemic. 

Priorities identified for Phase Two include:

  • Policy change for women and gender equity
  • Safety
  • Equitable representation of women
  • Gender inclusivity
  • Supporting men’s engagement and allyship
  • Effective engagement of Black and racialized communities


How to get involved:

  • Have your say and help us re-imagine an equitable future

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    Women and gender equity are key to building vibrant and inclusive communities and creating an equitable city for all residents.

    In April 2021, Ottawa’s first Women and Gender Equity Strategy (WGES) was approved by City Council. The Strategy aims to ensure that the City of Ottawa’s services, strategies, and plans integrate a women and gender lens and promote women and gender equity.

    From May to June 2022, the City of Ottawa is hosting a number of engagement sessions for residents, community organizations, and City staff, as well as an online survey on Engage Ottawa so that we can hear directly from Ottawa residents and community organizations on how we can improve and transform municipal services and programming towards equity and equality.

    To participate in a one-hour engagement session with residents, REGISTER HERE.

    Through your engagement, we can examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Ottawa residents with a particular focus on women and gender diverse persons to build on the four strategic outcomes of the Women and Gender Equity Strategy for 2021-2025:

    • Policy changes to facilitate equitable access to services and resources,
    • Safety and freedom from all forms of gender-based violence,
    • Equitable representation of women in the City’s workforce, and
    • Gender inclusivity so that City offices and facilities are welcoming and safe environments for all genders.

    Your feedback will directly inform what’s next for the City's Women and Gender Equity Strategy, specifically through the next Strategic Framework for 2023-2025.

    For more information, contact womengenderequity@ottawa.ca

    Thank you for your time and engagement!

Page last updated: 24 Jan 2024, 10:12 AM