Thank you.
My name is Lindsey Cooke, and I'm honoured to join you today as the CEO at Manitoba Possible.
I am proud to represent an organization delivering critical care and social services throughout our province. At Manitoba Possible we employ a workforce of 76% women, with a leadership team of 85% women. However, despite this, I am what we believe is the first female CEO in our organization's 74-year history, demonstrating the ongoing under-representation of women in the C-suite in Canada.
The feminization of care work and social services is well known, as is the long-standing practice of undervaluing that work, particularly when compared to work requiring similar education and responsibility but traditionally held by men. I'd like to underscore that, while your study specifically prioritizes increasing gender representation in the skilled trades and STEM, I urge you not to overlook the dedicated and skilled workforce of the care and social service sector, the majority being women, and our responsibility to ensure that they are compensated fairly for the critical work they do for our country.
The chronic under-resourcing of non-profit organizations delivering care and social services perpetuates the cycle of devaluation. Granting bodies, including the federal government, often have policies that fail to cover reasonable administrative and overhead costs. This means essential supports, such as professional development, access to upgrading and formal mentorship are out of reach for feminized workforces. These policies perpetuate the cycle of devaluation and reinforce the barriers that exist to women attaining access to senior leadership positions and career development.
Additionally, I would like to amplify the comments shared by Bonnie and the DisAbled Women's Network of Canada. Throughout my career and in my current role, I've been a witness to a myriad of barriers, including limited access to employment opportunities, inadequate accommodations in the workplace, increased exposure to violence and exploitation, and social prejudices that compound existing gender disparities and impact women with disabilities. Despite this, disability is often overlooked even during intentional diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
In conclusion, I'd like to extend our deepest appreciation to the committee for providing us with the opportunity to engage in this critical conversation. We must prioritize the needs of women facing intersecting axes of identity to ensure that our efforts towards women's economic empowerment are truly inclusive and representative of all women. The health of the non-profit and social service sector is inextricably linked to women's economic empowerment across our country.
Thank you.