Equality: How do we Break The Cycle?

“Act, so I don’t have to say it again.”– Scotiabank: International Women’s Day 2021

Women have been breaking barriers and making strides towards progress for centuries. The developments and progress have been incredible, yet women are still fighting for equality. When Alice Paul drafted the first “Equal Rights Amendment” for the United States Constitution in 1923, with Canada later following in 1977 with the Canadian Humans Right Act, the hope was to eliminate inequality and treat each human with the same rights and respect across the board. It is 2021 and women entrepreneurs are still being faced with the re-occurring scenarios of stereotypes, biases, pay gaps, and more.

The question is: Has the progress been enough to change the trajectory set for young girls trying to find their place in a society that has been set up to challenge their every move?

Short answer, not quite.

It’s time to begin the journey of self-reflection and question how we are challenging and ultimately changing the cycle. How is our mindset, our actions bettering the generations to come? The accomplishments that have been made are worth crediting again. It’s important to celebrate those that are breaking barriers (both women and lending institutions).

We are at a point where words have meaning but action is stronger and the time to act is now.