Written by: Natalie Lim

Earlier this year, the NSERC Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering announced their official endorsement of Bill C-243, a proposal for a national maternity assistance program and changes to the Employee Insurance Act. These changes will allow women to work in Science, Engineering, Technology and Trades (SETT) while raising a family, and is a step towards breaking down barriers for the entry of women into SETT.

We are excited to announce that Bill C-243 was officially passed in late October, and will be going to committee in the next couple of months! Thanks to everyone who supported the bill by sharing it on social media or contacting their local MPs. As you may have heard, this bill was inspired by the story of Melodie Ballard, a welder who became pregnant and was subsequently forced to stop working because her workplace was deemed an unsafe environment for the baby. Unfortunately, there were no support systems in place to help her, and after EI benefits ran out Ballard lost her home. Now, thanks to the 231 MPs who voted through Bill C-243, women in SETT don't have to choose between raising a family and pursuing a career that they love.

You can read the full Bill here, and learn more about why this Bill was so needed at the official website here.

Every time we take another step towards gender equality, there's a feeling of pride, and an air of celebration. Here at WWEST, we are hopeful and excited about the future of women in SETT, but we also realise that there is still much, much work to be done. If you want to join us in supporting initiatives towards diversity and equality for women in SETT and elsewhere, you can click here to sign up for our biweekly newsletter, or connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.