The Women's Initiative fosters and promotes equality, opportunity, access to services, justice and inclusion for women in Edmonton.
We're proud to be ensuring that the unique perspectives of women and girls are included in the conversations that shape our city.
Our Goal
To ensure women's rights, issues, and opinions are represented fairly and equally from every background including social, cultural, physical and occupational.
The Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton (WAVE) Committee, formed to bring female community leaders together to help advance the work of the Edmonton Women's Initiative, will help to advance this initiative.
WAVE Strategic Plan 2016 - 2018
Key Themes Include:
Engagement
The Women’s Initiative will facilitate networking opportunities through an annual symposium, focused gatherings and other opportunities.
Leadership
Through mentorship opportunities, the Women’s Initiative wants to increase leadership within the City by encouraging women to actively engage in civic and political life. This includes addressing the need for equal access to employment possibilities.
Best Practice
Universal research into other municipalities will identify best practices that can be incorporated into the Women’s Initiative mandate and activities. This includes recognizing issues and opportunities and profiling the demographics and psychographics of women.
In 2012, several community forums and conversations were held, reaching out to over 700 diverse women to talk about women's issues, engagement and leadership. This phase of the work was spearheaded by then-mayor Stephen Mandel. His vision is supported and now championed by Councillor Bev Esslinger and Mayor Don Iveson, and the City’s Community Services Department.
2020 International Women's Day Poster
Date: Sunday March 8, 2020
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Edmonton Inn & Conference Centre, 11834 Kingsway NW
Edmonton Women's Quality of Life (EWQL) Scorecard
A Summary of Women’s Initiative Edmonton Statistical Analysis
The scorecard provides an opportunity to review quality of life indicators for women in Edmonton and identify areas of progress, as well as those in need of attention.
Reports
Reports
Women and Poverty In Canada: Where Does Edmonton Fit?
An overview of the women in poverty in Canada.
Edmonton Women's Quality of Life Scorecard
Note: There has been a revision at the bottom of page 7 to reflect more accurate and comprehensive gender-based violence statistics. Corrected rates continue to demonstrate a higher than average rate of gender-based violence in Edmonton.
WAVE: Annual Report - May 2018 - April 2019
WAVE: Annual Report - May 2016 - June 2017
WAVE: Annual Report - May 2015 - June 2016
WAVE: Annual Report - March 2014 - April 2015
Highlights our accomplishments and the building blocks of success of our 1st year.
Women's Spring Symposium: Final Report - April 7, 2013
Women's Fall Symposium: Final Report - September 15, 2012
Resources
Resource Links
Increasing Women’s Involvement in the 2017 Municipal Election
A focus and priority for WAVE is increasing women’s participation and
visibility in the 2017 municipal election. This includes voting, supporting a
campaign, or running as a candidate for municipal office.
2016-17 Program Guide
Opening the Potential: Women Leading in Edmonton 2016/2017 Pilot Program for Women Interested in Municipal Politics
Equal Voice
A national, bilingual, multi-partisan organization dedicated to electing more women to all levels of political office in Canada.
Women in Local Government
Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Standing Committee on Increasing Women's Participation in Municipal Government.
How to Design a City for Women
Article about a "gender mainstreaming" experiment in Vienna. A project taking gender into account in public policy.
Sustainable Gender Equality
Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions shows how citizens, municipalities and regions can benefit from gender equality.
Vancouver Women's Advisory Committee
Works with Vancouver City Council and staff to implement the Gender Equality Strategy and enhance access to full participation in Vancouver services for women and girls.
YWCA - A Turning Point for Women
YWCA is Canada's oldest, largest women's multi-service organization. Turning Point Programs for Women™ address personal safety, economic security, and well-being.
World Economic Forum - Global Gender Gap Report
Benchmarks national gender gaps of 142 countries on economic, political, education, and health-based criteria.
Outstanding Women
Sue Trigg
A natural area in Riverbend is named in honour of Sue Trigg, who has worked tirelessly to make a difference in the community for decades. See Councillor Bryan Anderson's speaking notes.
