Canada doubles enrollments of women in engineering in a decade

Abstract

Following a report on the low participation of women in science and engineering (Who Turns the Wheels, Science Council of Canada, 1985), there followed a decade of national strategies to redress the gender imbalance in these non-traditional fields and occupations. The participation of women in engineering undergraduate programs doubled during that period. In 1989, one industrial chair on Women in Engineering was created, and this led to several other national and regional efforts to remove obstacles and increase enrollments. In 1997, Canada multiplied its efforts greatly by appointing five new chairs for Women in Science and Engineering, to continue to develop and implement strategies in each region of Canada, coast to coast. A unique opportunity has been created to accelerate progress on all aspects of gender issues in this profession. The results expected from this level of activity and cooperation are bound to have a profound impact on the presence and recognition of women in these disciplines, and a successful outcome.