Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, released the following message to all students, faculty, and staff on May 5, 2015.
Dear Colleagues,
Today members of the University of Waterloo gathered in Mathematics 3 as I announced that Waterloo has accepted an invitation from the UN Women’s HeForShe campaign for the University to participate in its IMPACT 10x10x10 framework alongside an international group of governments, leading universities, and global businesses.
The HeForShe campaign, launched in September 2014 by the United Nations, is a global effort to engage boys and men in addressing gender equity. Today, HeForShe launched the IMPACT 10x10x10 framework that involves 10 heads of state, 10 CEOs, and 10 university presidents to advance gender equity. As the only Canadian organization selected to be part of this global initiative, we have a special opportunity to lead our National efforts to address gender equity.
As part of this framework, the University of Waterloo is making three commitments to achieve comprehensive, long-term and sustainable gender equity by developing innovative programming aimed at a full spectrum of women from young girls through to the University’s senior leadership.
In the next five years, the University of Waterloo will:
- Boost female student participation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) experiences and academic careers to build the pipeline of future female leaders in traditionally male dominated disciplines;
- Enhance female faculty representation to improve the campus environment today and drive towards parity in the future; and
- Attract and advance female leaders into senior academic and administrative University positions.
You can read more about our detailed HeForShe commitments on my website.
As we roll out our plan to build a more equitable university and a more equitable university sector there will be many ways that you can get involved with this important initiative. Today, you can join the fight for gender equity as part of the University of Waterloo community by showing your support for the HeForShe initiative and engaging in the global HeForShe social media campaign.
We have provided some suggested social media content below:
“Happy to stand beside @UWaterloo and the @HeForShe campaign to support gender equality”
“Showing our (my) support for @UWaterloo’s @HeForShe campaign. Take a stand for gender equality #HeForShe #UWaterloo"
Your support on social media for this vital effort will be shared through Waterloo’s social media accounts and distributed to the UN campaign team for wider distribution.
Gender equity is not a women’s issue – it is an everybody issue. To achieve results, we need your support. I call on you to take action against all forms of discrimination against women and girls, and join your University, the nation and a global group of leading organizations to fight for gender equity.
If you have questions about the ways in which you can get involved in IMPACT 10x10x10 commitments, please contact Diana Parry, my special advisor on women’s and gender issues, to discuss this important undertaking.
Sincerely,
Feridun Hamdullahpur
President and Vice-Chancellor