

What you need to know
Join us on March 8, International Women’s Day, External website, opens in new tab a global day of recognition celebrating achievements toward gender equity and raising awareness about the work still left to be done.
We continually aim to support and improve our work towards gender parity.
The Women’s Equity Strategy, approved by Council in 2018, is a 10-year initiative aimed at addressing barriers faced by cis and trans women.
This strategy includes multi-year projects aimed at providing all women and girls, Two Spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender diverse peoples with equitable opportunities to fully participate in the political, economic, cultural, and social life of Vancouver.
#EmbraceEquity: Equity versus equality
Women’s rights affect us all, and it begins with equity. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity and to celebrate International Women’s Day at the City, we created a short video of Mayor and Council recognizing International Women’s Day and talking about equity.
We hear a lot about equality and equity; but what is the difference and why does it matter?
Equality means each group or individual is given the same opportunities, regardless of their needs or circumstances. Equity means each group or individual is given what they need, based on their circumstances, in order to succeed.
Equity acknowledges that people don't begin life in the same place, and that circumstances can make it more difficult for people to achieve the same goals. The goal of equity is to change structural and systemic barriers that get in the way of people's ability to thrive.
Women’s rights affect us all, and it begins with equity. Equal opportunities are no longer enough.
Beyond March 8
While International Women’s Day is a global occasion to celebrate women and people of marginalized genders, the work to achieve gender equity goes on throughout the year.
Colonial and patriarchal structures continue to oppress racialized peoples and people of marginalized genders. These systems impact people’s ability to access safety, employment, justice, health care, housing, education, and reproductive rights.
We are committed to promoting equity and justice, and continue to work to address these systemic and structural oppressions that perpetuate inequities.
Learn more about the steps we're taking in advancing gender equity and anti-racism.
Musem of Vancouver slideshow
With help from the Museum of Vancouver, we curated a photo exhibition featuring over 30 engaged residents and organizations that have been instrumental in advancing gender equity within our city.
This slideshow aims to honour the leadership and contributions that women and people of marginalized genders give to Vancouver as activists, workers, artists, entrepreneurs, caregivers, professionals, educators, and volunteers.
It also aims to highlight the work of Indigenous people, Black people, and people of colour, whose experiences of gender inequities are intrinsically connected to colonization and racialized violence.
Preview the slideshow below, and read their full stories and slideshow PDF file (7 MB).
Suggest an addition to the slideshow
Contact us
External Relations and Protocol
erp@vancouver.ca