DAWSON CREEK -- The pandemic has shed light on the gap in gender equality in Canada.
According to the Canadians Women's Foundation, females have been diproportionality affected by the pandemic.
The foundation reported women were ten times more likely than men to be forced out of their job in 2020.
Frontline workers being majority women they have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 virus.
The Canadian government declared the fourth week of Septemver has Gender Equality Week, a time to celebrate the progress the country has made on closing the gap.
However looking at wage parity and resources, local experts say there's still a large divide in gender equity here in the peace region.
"It’s terrible! We have women coming in everyday, whether it’s discrimination at work or in education fields, we still have acts of racism that are happening. It’s in every field. All the way from at home with domestic violence issues to out in the community, its constant it’s everywhere it’s not stopping," said Outreach and Housing Coordinator of Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society Lisa Jewell.
The society noted that wage discrepency is still an issue in the workforce, especially with single mothersa and people of colour.
"We know as of 2016 I believe it was 60cents to the dollar that women were making compared to men, doing the same work," said Jewell.
With an exceeding number of women using the resources already in place, the Fort St. John Women's Resource Society hopes for more funding and space to help all who are impacted.
