Free to Grow in Forestry
Gender Equity in Canada’s Forest Sector Initiative
Equity in the forest sector
Free to Grow in Forestry, an unprecedented collaboration that was launched as a result of the Gender Equity in Canada’s Forestry Sector Initiative, aims to create a diverse and inclusive work force that provides the foundation for a thriving forest sector and healthy communities.
Together, we can move #ForestryForward, and it’s about time!
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Gender Equity in Canada’s Forest Sector Initiative
The Gender Equity in Canada’s Forest Sector Initiative’s framework for action (now known as Free to Grow in Forestry – Phase 1) was launched in November 2018 by the Canadian Institute of Forestry in partnership with the Centre for Social Intelligence.
This was Canada’s first public-private funded national gender equity project and it aims to create a diverse and inclusive work force that provides the foundation for a thriving forest sector and healthy communities.
To contribute to this vision, the initiative’s Steering Committee – made up of gender champions from government, industry, academia, indigenous, and non-profit organizations – are working collaboratively across the forest sector to engage, attract, retain and advance women and inclusion and diversity.
This three-year project involved the creation of a Framework for Action that will promote gender equity across Canada’s forest sector.
Framework for Action
The Initiative’s Framework for Action has a framework with three main pillars of action:
- Building the Evidence Base – leveraging existing data to identify gaps and establish a baseline of information on gender representation across the sector.
- Fostering an Inclusive Culture – developing several discrete products including a resistance strategy, identifying best practices from leading companies from around the world, as well as creating an advocacy toolkit to advance gender equality in the forest sector.
- Repositioning the Sector – Communicate and Recognize Progress – developing new branding that welcomes diverse and inclusive cultures. NEW microsite www.freetogrowinforestry.ca now live!
Did You Know?
Data from Statistics Canada in 2017 reveals that women make up roughly 17% of the natural resources workforce, with the largest gender gaps in trades positions, as well as executive level positions and seats on Boards.
In the news
In The News
- January 13, 2021 –
- March 9, 2020 – The benefits of gender equality in forestry for men
- March 2, 2020 – BLOG: Top 3 benefits of women in forestry roles
- January 9, 2020 – Seeking Study Participants
- November 13, 2019 – Report on gender diversity in forestry suggests shift may be underway
- November 11, 2019 – Diversity Disclosure Practices report – Forest products & paper industry
- October 15, 2019 – Moving forward with the Gender Equality in Forestry National Action Plan
- October 8, 2019 – Evolving an industry: An update on the Gender Equity in Forestry National Action Plan
- Fall 2019 – Evolving an Industry (pages 12-13)
- Spring 2019 – The Win-Win of More Women Working in Forestry (page 16)
- March 6, 2019 – VIDEO: Gender Equity in Canada’s Forest Sector
- February 20, 2019 – OPINION: Workforce Diversity – Canada’s Forest Sector Branches Out
- January 9, 2019 – Canada’s Forestry board the ‘worst in terms of gender representation,’ says forestry institute
- November 30, 2018 – MEDIA RELEASE: Canadian Institute of Forestry Announces an Initiative to Promote Gender Equity in Canada’s Forest Sector
