A gender equality conference aiming to explore gender biases in the workplace is coming to New West this month.
The City of New Westminster, in partnership with Soroptimist International, is presenting the Gender Equality: Overcoming Biases in the Workplaceconference. It’s taking place on Thursday, Nov. 22 at Anvil Centre from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“While strides have been made to close the gender gap in many areas, there remains significant gender inequality in the workforce and in politics, with women underrepresented in leadership positions,” Lisa Spitale, the city’s chief administrative officer, said in a press release. “This conference will explore how cities and related institutions can build better communities for everyone, while also pushing to overcome institutional bias within our workplaces and at a political level.”
Soroptimist International works both globally and locally to improve the lives of women and girls through programs that lead to social and economic empowerment.
“Gender equality is a key issue and this conference is a positive step forward to inspire women to take leadership roles,” said Bonita Zarrillo, a Coquitlam city councillor and a Soroptimist member. “Our communities will benefit and thrive by addressing systemic gender inequalities such as gendered work and unintended bias. Women need to be in the room and at the table of our leaders and influencers.”
Senator Mobina Jaffer, the conference’s keynote speaker, will be sharing some of her personal experiences advocating for gender equality, integrating gender perspectives and championing women’s participation.
The conference will also include three panel discussions:
* Roadmap to Success, where attendees will hear first-hand experiences of how women and men navigate the hallways of power to achieve goals, and explore strategies on how to overcome barriers to level the playing field and ensure everyone has an equal voice and equal opportunities. Panelists include: West Vancouver Mayor Mary Ann Booth; Ingrid Milne, VP Operations for Woodbridge Homes; New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cote; and New Westminster city councillor Mary Trentadue.
* Why Women are Great for Cities, will explore the influence, representation and contributions of women in local government and consider how to overcome institutional bias so women can advance into leadership roles and under-represented occupations. Panelists include: Jerry Dobrovolny, general manager of engineering services for the City of Vancouver; Nina Leemhuis, chief administrative officer for the District of West Vancouver; Linda Glendale, chief administrative office for the District of Squamish; and Lisa Langevin, assistant business manager for Local 213 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
* Breaking In: Building Networks and Relationships will explore the reality of networking in today’s workplaces. Panelists include: Kerry Gibson, president of EcoCentury Technologies and UN Women 50/50; Mike Boehm, vice president, business development, KPMG; and Barbara Mowat, president, Gro Your Biz.
Tickets are $70, or $50 for students or $520 for a table of eight. More information on the andtickets are available at genderequalitynow.eventbrite.ca.
