Michelle Mungall, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness; Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training; and Mitzi Dean, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity; have issued the following joint statement on International Day of Women and Girls in Science:

“Today, we join voices around the world to recognize International Day of Women and Girls in Science – a day that promotes full and equal access to participation in science for women and girls.

“Gender equity has been a priority for our government since our very first days. We stand together to acknowledge the immense contribution that women continue to make to science and other fields like technology, engineering and mathematics. We pledge to do all that we can to remove the barriers that hold girls and women back from participating fully in these fields.

“We know that gender equity supports a strong, inclusive economy. That is why we are taking real steps to make life more affordable, improve the services people count on and build that strong, inclusive economy. For example, our investments in child care, the largest in B.C.’s history, will help parents, especially women, raise families while pursuing their careers.

“The pathway to inclusion is supported through education. Our government is investing in the futures of girls and women through scholarships and co-op opportunities, and through projects that look at how best to attract, retain and support the career advancement of equity-seeking groups, including women in tech-related sectors. These investments will inspire a new generation of women to consider science and technology-based professions.

“Let’s all work together to bridge the gender gap and open doors to a future free of any inequalities. A world of equal opportunity is on the horizon.”

Learn More:

For more information, visit:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day