Women in Canada are highly educated overall, but educational attainment rates vary from urban to remote settings. The latest in Statistics Canada’s Studies on Gender and Intersecting Identities series shows that women in remote communities are less likely to complete post-secondary education. However, those that do are more likely to choose a college or institute.
Among women who held a post-secondary qualification, the type of credential varied by remoteness (identified by StatsCan’s Remoteness Index Classification). As communities moved beyond ‘easily accessible’, college and institute certificates and diplomas became the most common type of post-secondary qualification.
- Easily accessible: Among women with a post-secondary qualification in areas identified as “easily accessible”, 34.7% had a college or institute certificate or diploma (compared with university credentials (50.4%) or apprenticeship and trades certificates or diplomas (9.6%)).
- Accessible: Among women with a post-secondary qualification in areas identified as “accessible”, 45.2% had a college or institute certificate or diploma (compared with university credentials (39.0%) or apprenticeship and trades certificates or diplomas (10.6%)).
- Less accessible: Among women with a post-secondary qualification in areas identified as “less accessible”, 48.9% had a college or institute certificate or diploma (compared with university credentials (31.6%) or apprenticeship and trades certificates or diplomas (14.2%)).
- Remote: Among women with a post-secondary qualification in areas identified as “remote”, 49.1% had a college or institute certificate or diploma (compared with university credentials (29.0%) or apprenticeship and trades certificates or diplomas (15.5%)).
- Very remote: Among women with a post-secondary qualification in areas identified as “very remote”, 48.7% had a college or institute certificate or diploma (compared with university credentials (27.9%) or apprenticeship and trades certificates or diplomas (15.9%)).
TL; DR: In more remote communities, more women turn to colleges and institutes for post-secondary education. And, this accessibility is the key to supporting women’s education and empowerment all across Canada!
#BreakTheBias on International Women’s Day!
March 8 is #IWD2022, when we celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and call on each other to act to accelerate gender parity. How can we create even more opportunities for women to reach their full potential?
- Get involved with events and resources that celebrate women’s achievement and raise awareness against gender bias. How will you take action for equality?