About Us

Who We Are

The Honourable Beverley J. Oda is the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women.

Status of Women Canada (SWC) is the federal government agency which promotes gender equality, and the full participation of women in the economic, social, cultural and political life of the country. SWC focuses its work in three areas: improving women's economic autonomy and well-being, eliminating systemic violence against women and children, and advancing women's human rights.

SWC works to provide Canadians with strengthened and more equitable public policy by conducting gender-based analysis and promoting its application throughout the federal government. It supports research that brings the gender dimensions of policy issues into the public agenda. SWC also plays a vital role in supporting the work of women's and other equality-seeking organizations. It promotes women's equality in collaboration with organizations from the non-governmental, voluntary and private sectors. In promoting women's equality globally, SWC works with other countries and international organizations.

This site is designed to provide you with access to the tools to learn about and promote women's equality. For example, you can find information on gender-based analysis; initiatives to address SWC priorities; the Policy Research Fund; the Women's Program that provides financial, technical and professional assistance to support priority issues for the advancement of women's equality; International Women's Day; the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case; and key dates for women. You also have access to our news releases and can order from our list of publications which includes the Setting the Stage for the Next Century: The Federal Plan for Gender Equality.

Let us know if the Web site is providing you with useful information. With your feedback we can tailor the site to make it as effective as possible.