It is now well-known that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women in the workforce. They face the crushing pressures of working from home in demanding professional jobs while juggling family obligations that tend to fall on their shoulders more than their male counterparts.

In many cases, women are not only taking care of their children, but also elderly parents and relatives as well, and bearing the brunt of domestic responsibilities. Some have had no choice but to scale back in their jobs, reconsider advancement ambitions, or leave the workforce altogether. Others have excelled in the workplace, either in senior roles or as entrepreneurs. But that has come at a tremendous cost to their mental health and personal lives. Women in business face barriers, including microaggression, burnout, pay inequity, discrimination, as well as a lack of mentors and allies.

When women reach their full potential in the workplace, the whole economy grows and all Canadians reap the benefits.

Let’s celebrate women in the workforce and with this toolkit created by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce lets help employers recruit, retain and promote more women into leadership roles.