What does a "Young Feminist Economy" mean, and why does it matter? Fora’s Research Assistant, Mekhalaa Muraly, shares her definition of a “Young Feminist Economy”.

This report, researched in collaboration with the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness, explores the status of young women and those experiencing gender-based discrimination in the Canadian economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. It seeks to capture the unique and intersectional experiences of young leaders nation-wide to examine how varying inequalities can forge layers of disadvantage and barriers to economic agency. The perspectives of research participants were consequently used to fashion policy recommendations to promote a young feminist economic recovery for Canadian society.

What does Canada's 2023 Federal Budget mean for young women and those marginalized by their gender in Canada? Fora's Research Assistant, Kassandra Neranjan, takes a detailed look at the Canadian Parliament's newly released 2023 Federal Budget, specifically from an intersectional lens of how it impacts the agency, autonomy, and leadership of young women and those navigating gender-based discrimination.

We face a world beset with unprecedented challenges. A climate in crisis. Spiking inequality. Democracy and human rights under attack. Misinformation weaponized to provoke fear and hatred. We need bold, audacious ideas from bold, audacious leaders if we’re to effectively take back the future.

Being a Black woman in the non-profit sector can often feel like walking a tightrope with a mask on: balancing authenticity while trying to avoid stereotypes, deciding between emotional perseveration and the emotional labour of standing against performative anti-racism, and being forced to compartmentalize our collective trauma and ignore tokenism for the sake of upward mobility at work.

Across the board, there have been urgent calls to “build back better” from the pandemic, and seize the momentum to advance a more sustainable and equitable society. Research shows that going down this path demands real intergenerational collaboration, with young women and underrepresented youth at the centre of the pandemic recovery efforts.

Fora believes that the economic empowerment of young leaders is essential to the progress of Canadian society. One fiscal policy that purports to enhance the financial agency of young people and is gaining traction in societal discourse is that of Universal Basic Income (UBI). In fact, the Liberal Party of Canada in early May 2023 passed it in its official party policies at its national convention (Liberal Party of Canada, 2023). This topical policy solution is one that requires exploring to determine its benefits for young leaders. Specifically, this brief will explore the contours of what UBI is, how it has manifested in Canada previously, and what it may mean for building a young feminist economy.

Fora’s Program Officer, Maxime Matthew speaks to two young climate advocates on the intersection between gender equality and climate advocacy, and the importance of youth leadership in finding sustainable solutions to the climate crisis.