Gender Equality Week is celebrated in Canada from September 20 to 26, raising awareness of the significant contributions made by women and gender diverse communities. In addition to reaffirming a commitment to address gender equality gaps, the week also signifies an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the work made to support gender equality.
This week (Sept. 20 to 24), is also Global Goals Week Action Plan, where a different United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is highlighted each day, along with the ways that students can support these goals. The second day’s topic focused on student learnings surrounding gender (in)equality and what this entails depending on where students live. To learn more about the United Nations SDGs, visit: www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals
Niagara College prioritizes supporting gender equality and inclusion, contributing to global projects that focus on SDG number five, “Gender Equality.” This priority also further aligns the College with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).
“Niagara College is committed to supporting gender equality around the world,” said NC’s Global Engagement Director Holly Catalfamo, EdD. “We have a dedicated team at NC that cares deeply about diversity, equity, and inclusion and we are fortunate to partner with project funders and other educational institutions in Canada, and globally, who share our passion as we all strive to make a difference in the lives of girls and women worldwide.”
Niagara College is currently involved in several global projects that focus on gender equality and inclusion. Here is a snapshot of some of the many global projects that support SDG number five:
Saint Lucia
Since December 2020, the College has been working with the Government of Saint Lucia to complete sector-wide gender assessments and guidelines for gender-responsive sectoral adaptation strategy and action plans development through a contract entitled, “Sector-Wide Gender Assessments and Guidelines for Gender-responsive SASAP Development.” This is part of a larger project entitled, “Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean (EnGenDER).”
Kenya
In collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and Colleges & Institutes Canada (CICan), Niagara College and Sheridan College are assisting the National Gender Equality Commission in Kenya for the next three years to increase women’s engagement in the workforce through the development of processes and policies that promote safe learning environments, principally for female learners.
Additionally, NC is supporting the development of new processes and frameworks that will improve the process of gathering labour market information to better match supply of labour and the demand in the market. The program will increase women’s participation by placing them in market-relevant training programs. This means that young people, especially young women, will have a better chance to secure dignified and fulfilling work. Through this initiative, Niagara College is working with Seneca College, Marine Institute and the Kenyan Ministry of Education, Kenyan agencies and the private sector.
“From a professional development perspective, I have enjoyed a great deal of learning about gender equity in the Kenyan context,” said Carol Phillips, associate dean of NC’s School of Community Services, who is contributing to the Young Africa Works in Kenya – Youth Employability Through Technical and Vocation Education and Training (TVET) program. “My contributions to the project focus on ensuring participants are able to explain gender dimensions and promotion of equality in labour market information research, analysis and use. I believe that creating a just, fair and transformed society free from gender-based discrimination in all spheres of life is everyone’s responsibility.”
Bhutan
Niagara College is currently supporting a two-year Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management training project in Bhutan, South Asia. Most recently, NC supported the development of a gender policy for the brewery this past year.
With the particular goal of supporting female brewers in the country, this project is part of a seven-year program funded by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Trade and Investment Facility for Development (CTIF) and Cowater Sogema. The project’s collective aim is to support the development of a gender-inclusive, sustainable craft brewing sector. NC is collaborating with Ser Bhum Brewery Private Ltd. to help the company grow a sustainable business that supports the growth of females in management and operational leadership roles, while assisting the brewery in producing high-quality craft beer for domestic and export markets.
NC Human Resources Management alumni Heather Flachs was one of NC’s Human Resources Management (HRM) students who supported the development of a strategic HR plan to support the Ser Bhum brewery in Bhutan. She believed the opportunity allowed her to apply concepts learned in the classroom to the real-world and further prepared her for experiences that occur in the workplace.
“This project focused on a topic – diversity, equity, and inclusion – which has gained priority in the workforce… it furthered my knowledge on the topic and encouraged me to consider all the components in real-world experiences,” said Flachs.
Over the past 20 years, Niagara College has successfully completed more than 100 capacity building and training projects in over 25 countries, including Barbados, Bhutan, Chile, Colombia, Grenada, Jamaica, Malawi, Mexico, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Vietnam. For more information on Global Education and Partnerships and how to get involved, visit ncglobal.ca.
