October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the contributions, achievements, leadership and impact of women and girls, past and present.
At Vancouver Pride Society, we’re celebrating the women in our community, both as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and as allies who stand alongside us and support our community. From Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community to communities across Canada, women continue to shape Pride, advocacy, arts and culture, community organizing and the ongoing work toward equality.
Celebrating How Far We’ve Come
Statistics Canada’s latest Women’s History Month data gives us an opportunity to look at some of the changes taking place across Canada and recognize the progress women have made across education, employment and leadership.
In 2025, 71% of women aged 25 to 64 held a college or university credential, up from 61% in 2015. Women’s participation in STEM education has also grown significantly. Between 2010/2011 and 2023/2024, the number of women enrolled in STEM programs at Canadian postsecondary institutions increased by 70.4%.
Women’s participation in the workforce has grown as well. In 2025, 85% of women aged 25 to 54 participated in the labour force, compared with 52.3% in 1976.
We’re also seeing more women represented in leadership. Between 2005 and 2025, the share of women in senior management occupations increased from 24.1% to 31.6%. Women’s representation on corporate boards also increased from 17.2% in 2016 to 23.2% in 2023.
These numbers tell a story of change.
Behind every statistic are women learning, leading, creating, organizing, building and making their mark.
And there is plenty more to celebrate.
Women Are Part of 2SLGBTQIA+ History
Women have always been an important part of 2SLGBTQIA+ history and Pride.
Lesbians, bisexual women, trans women, queer women, Two-Spirit people and others have helped organize, advocate, create art, build community and push for change across generations.
Their contributions can be seen throughout Pride movements, community organizations, arts and culture, activism, nightlife, mutual aid and countless everyday acts of care and connection.
Today, women continue to bring their voices, experiences and leadership to every part of our communities.
Women’s History Month is a chance to recognize those contributions and celebrate the many different ways women make an impact.
There’s More History to Make
Progress is worth celebrating, while recognizing that there is still work ahead.
Statistics Canada’s data shows that women continue to experience disparities in areas including earnings and representation in leadership. In 2025, women aged 25 to 54 earned an average of 89 cents for every dollar earned by men. Indigenous women and racialized women experienced additional disparities in average earnings.
The experiences of women are also not the same across communities. Race, Indigeneity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation and socioeconomic circumstances can all shape the opportunities and barriers people experience.
That makes it even more important to celebrate progress while continuing to create communities where women can participate, lead, create and thrive.
Celebrating the Women in Our Community
This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating women in all the ways they show up.
The women who take the stage.
The women who organize behind the scenes.
The women who build businesses, create art, raise families, support friends, volunteer their time, speak up, take action and make their communities stronger.
The women who have been doing this work for decades, and the women who are just getting started.
There is so much to celebrate in how far we’ve come, and so much possibility in where we go next.
At Vancouver Pride Society, we’re proud to celebrate the women who are part of our history, our 2SLGBTQIA+ community and our future.
Here’s to the women who continue to shape our communities and the history we’re still making.
Happy Women’s History Month!
Learn more: Explore Statistics Canada’s Women’s History Month: By the numbers for more data and insights about women in Canada.