Social Locations – Gender
Equity Framework > Social Locations > Gender
Gender refers to socially constructed roles, behaviours, and expressions of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people. Gender is a multidimensional concept. It influences relationships and the distribution of power and resources in society [1]. In Toronto, 52% of the population are women, girls, trans and non-binary individuals [2].
Gender inequities persist in Toronto for women and gender diverse people [3].These include:
- higher rates of violence
- greater poverty
- more precarious employment
- lower wages
- religious discrimination
- and underrepresentation in political and professional leadership positions
Women and gender diverse people with intersecting identities experience complex challenges in accessing jobs, resources, programs and services. For example, the gender wage gap and workplace discrimination, disproportionately affect women who are Black, Indigenous, or racialized. These compounding systemic barriers impacts a variety of wellbeing outcomes [3].
To learn more about to child and family well-being disaggregated by gender, please visit the Equity Analysis Toolkit page on Raising the Village.
References
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research. (2023). What is gender? What is sex? Available from: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/48642.html
- City of Toronto. (2022). 2021 Census: Age, sex at birth and gender, and type of dwelling. Available from: https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/9654-City-Planning-2021-Census-Backgrounder-Age-Sex-Gender-DwellingType.pdf
- City of Toronto. (2019). Appendix B: A Profile of Gender Inequities in Toronto. Available from: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2019.EX8.7