Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 5: Women and leadership in the humanitarian action of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (33IC/19/R5) – The Canadian Red Cross Society

¿ Ha incorporado el Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución los empeños contenidos en esta resolución en los planes estratégicos u operativos pertinentes?

Los compromisos han sido incorporados en
estrategia
plan operativo

A internacional, nacional nivel

Explicación:

Since 2019 the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) has incorporated many of the commitments in this resolution into strategic and operational plans, including:
-Adoption of diversity and inclusion into the organizational strategic priority areas;
-Collection of self-identified gender data to track progress toward gender parity; and
-Achieving equal representation of men and women at executive and board levels
-Conducted a review of our surge roster system and based on this review developed strategies to increase the number, retention and support to female delegates.

Ha trabajado el Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución con otros asociados para poner en práctica los empeños contenidos en esta resolución?

En asociación con:
CICR/Federación Internacional
otras Sociedades Nacionales de la Cruz Roja y de la Media Luna Roja

Ejemplos de cooperación:

CRC contributed to two webinars supporting RCRC Movement’s GLOWRed Network and promoting women’s leadership participation within the Movement. The CRC moderated a panel discussion at the Inter-America Conference for GLOWRed and presented an educational webinar for the America’s IFRC region on inclusive leadership. The webinars were well-attended; in particular, the presentation on inclusive leadership and barriers for women in humanitarian roles had over 200 attendees. CRC is also supporting the IFRC Asia Pacific Women in Operational Leadership initiative with technical support, funding and staff time (as mentors).

¿Ha habido dificultades para poner en práctica los empeños contenidos en esta resolución?

Dificultades en relación con:
recursos humanos
limitaciones de financiación
conflicto de prioridades
falta de capacidad y/o de apoyo (técnico, financiero o de otra índole)

Describa detalladamente estas dificultades:

The challenges CRC has faced in implementing the commitments contained in this resolution include reduced investment into programming supporting capacity building for diversity, lack of available resources, and competing priorities.

¿Han incidido los empeños contenidos en esta resolución en el trabajo y la dirección del Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución?

Tipo de repercusión:
desarrollo y uso de herramientas o metodologías innovadoras
establecimiento o fortalecimiento de asociaciones con otros actores humanitarios
incremento en la movilización de recursos
formación y capacidad de los miembros del personal y de los voluntarios (en el caso de las Sociedades Nacionales);

Describa detalladamente las repercusiones:

Tools and Methodologies:
• CRC has improved its data collection and analytics through this resolution through the quarterly collection self-identification data on a number of demographic factors, including gender. This survey is sent out to newly-hired individuals – temporary, casual and permanent employees. The data also shows overall staff population separated by women, racialized population, people with disabilities, Indigenous population and youth broken down by staff, senior management, and supervisory roles.
• Canadian Red Cross has improved upon human resources processes through reviewing executive recruitment processes for inequities and bias to facilitate more women in leadership positions.
• Creation of a Women’s Diversity Resource Group. This committee is an opportunity for staff, volunteers and delegates to discuss and share feedback to the executive team, network with each other and contribute to the diversity and inclusion strategic plans and goals.
Partnerships with other humanitarian actors:
• Participation in the GLOW Red Network, IFRC Americas & Asia Pacific regions, and other National Societies to advance diversity, gender equality, and social inclusion
Mobilization of Resources:
• Creation of a senior leadership role to oversee women in leadership (Senior Director, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging)
Training and Capacity of Staff:
• The Canadian Red Cross contributed to two webinars supporting RCRC Movement’s GLOWRed Network and promoting women’s leadership participation within the Movement. The CRC moderated a panel discussion at the Inter-America Conference for GLOWRed and presented an educational webinar for the America’s IFRC region on inclusive leadership. The webinars were well-attended; in particular, the presentation on inclusive leadership and barriers for women in humanitarian roles had over 200 attendees.

5. Han incidido los empeños contenidos en esta resolución en las comunidades a las que el Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución presta servicios?

Describa las repercusiones:

CRC’s commitment to advancing this pledge has resulted in an increase in women in operational leadership roles, including amongst its Rapid Response Managers. CRC worked to overcome barriers, such as inaccessible trainings, family responsibilities and cultural norms to address gender imbalances and developed a strategy to recruit more women. Today, the Rapid Response Manager team is made up of seven women and four men, who collectively integrate PGI components into operations and contribute to a culture of raising issues, addressing barriers and taking action in operations.

CRC has a strategic priority to be representative of the communities it serves, particularly within senior leadership and governance positions. In the past 5 years, CRC has examined barriers to women in leadership in attaining senior leadership roles, particularly within the recruitment and advancement process, and has made process changes to ensure it is more equitable. Canadian Red Cross has increased the representation of women in executive leadership positions by 10% resulting in gender parity in the executive team. The Governing Board of Canadian Red Cross is 60% women, and the current chair of the Board is a woman.