Saskatchewan promotes women in university

Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Day took place on Sept. 14, and through it, the Saskatchewan government hopes to raise awareness about not only women in university, but everyone trying to attend post-secondary.

“CFUW Day is really about awareness, and the awareness to have the accessibility to our post-secondary institutions,” said Scott Moe, the advanced education minister for Saskatchewan.

CFUW is an organization with over 100 clubs whose mission is to improve the status of women and make sure girls and women have equal opportunities and equal access to education. The organization promotes these points while administering funds for scholarships and fellowships.

The organization states that its vision is, “to ensure that all girls and women have equal opportunities and equal access to quality education within a peaceful and secure environment where their human rights are respected.  Our vision includes a world where poverty is reduced, discrimination eliminated, where there are equal opportunities for leadership, employment, income, education, careers and the ability to maximize potential.”

The government has many initiatives in place to help those attending university, such as different scholarships and grants. Women face unique challenges while attending school, such as they are more likely to need childcare while attending. In addition, 2/3 of the people who use student assistance, such as student loans, are female. Moe said it’s important to remember that while the challenges are disappearing and more women are attending post-secondary, some of those challenges still exist.

“Saskatchewan women are significant contributors to the economic growth of our province,” said Donna Harpauer, minister responsible for the status of women, in a news release.  “Education is critical, and I am pleased that Saskatchewan’s CFUW chapters support post-secondary education with scholarships for women to complete their education.”

Now, it’s estimated that about 55 per cent of people attending post-secondary are women.

“The numbers state that it is working,” Moe said. “I think we are on the right track with the programs.”

Moe credits this increase to understanding the challenges that once existed and how it’s possible to overcome that now.

“A lot of it is just, plain and simple, awareness that you can attend,” he said.

However, challenges still exist, and Moe said it is important to continue with awareness and support.