Transcript No Slide Title

Women in IT - The Strength and
Knowledge to Lead
Murna Dalton
CGI
March 8, 2002
The Information Technology Industry
Users
Middleware & Integration
Software Applications
Computer Processing
Telecommunications
Industry
Evolution
Progress of Women’s Rights in Canada
Setting the Stage for the Next Century:
The Federal Plan for Gender Equality - Status of Women Canada
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1918 - Women are given full federal right to vote
1921 - First woman elected to the House of Commons
1928 - Supreme Court rules that women are not “persons” and cannot be
appointed to the Senate of Canada
1929 - British Privy Council overrules Supreme Court
1930 - First Woman Senator
1952 - First province - Ontario first to enact equal pay legislation
1977 - Canadian Human Rights Act forbids discrimination on the basis of
gender and ensures equal pay for work of equal value
1982 - Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Sec. 28 enacted - Charter Rights apply
equally to men and women
1995 - Gender-based analysis of legislation and policies is adopted by the
federal government
% Women in BC Gov’t IT Sector
by Job Level
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
% of Men
50%
% of Women
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
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10 11 12
The Glass Ceiling?
Why a career in technology?
• Interesting and pays well
• Innovative and leading edge people and
lifestyles
• Few jobs won’t require use of technology
What should you be doing now?
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Stay in maths, sciences, technical courses
Find a mentor, tutor if you need to
Be a mentor, tutor if someone needs you
Start thinking about your future career and
find out what it will take
• Start building your resume now
Questions?