Feminist Scorecard 2021: Accelerating a Feminist COVID-19 Recovery
Is Canada living up to its feminist approach in its COVID-19 response? Oxfam Canada scores the government’s actions to help Canada and the world respond to and recover from the pandemic. How do they stack up?
Scorecard Legend
Significant Progress
The government has made major achievements that significantly move the needle on women’s rights and gender equality.
Some Progress
The government has made noteworthy achievements on some files, but needs to go further to truly walk the feminist talk.
Little Progress
The government has stalled or backtracked on key commitments in this policy area.
Global Development
Canada scaled up its humanitarian response, provided debt relief for poor countries and invested in the COVAX vaccine facility. Progress continued towards a feminist foreign policy.
significant progress
Representation & Leadership
Women have been at the forefront of Canada’s COVID-19 response and the government has invested in feminist movements. However, stronger GBA+ and intersectional approaches are needed to ensure an equitable recovery.
significant progress
Gender-based Violence & SRHR
Women and gender-diverse people experienced a rise in violence due to the pandemic. Federal resources flowed quickly to support shelters and sexual assault centres.
significant progress
Poverty
The federal government provided critical social protection to millions of Canadians in record time during the pandemic. However, some of the most marginalized people fell through the cracks.
some progress
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Care Work
COVID-19 exposed how essential care is to our economy, but also how fragile Canada’s care sector is. The government’s commitment to establish a national child care system, as part of a feminist economic recovery, is welcome.
some progress
Conflict & Crisis
Canada invested in critical humanitarian assistance as global needs grew dramatically due to COVID-19. However, Canada’s support for refugees fell short, leaving many people stranded.
some progress
Climate Change & Extractives
As Canada pursues more ambitious climate action, a strong intersectional approach will be key. Effective corporate accountability measures are needed urgently to achieve justice for marginalized people abroad.
some progress
Rights of Indigenous Women
The government has invested in women’s shelters and sexual assault centres on and off reserve, but progress on the National Action Plan for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was slowed by the pandemic.
some progress
Work & Pay Equity
The economic downturn has disproportionately hurt women workers, who have made up the majority of job losses. The government’s economic recovery plan must focus on women-majority sectors and prioritize the needs of vulnerable workers.
some progress
Tax
Wealth inequality is growing, with the wealthiest Canadians – mostly men – benefiting from tax loopholes and not paying their fair share. Canada’s first-ever female finance minister is raising hopes for progressive tax reform.
little progress