Gender Equity Policy (Access & Equity)

FCA Access and Equity Policy

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Preamble The Federation of Canadian Archers is committed to accessible and available sport to all persons in Canada.

Equity is synonymous with fairness and justice; to be equitable means to be fair, and to appear fair. Equity and equality are often confused.

Equality is defined as "of the same quantity, size, number, degree, value, intensity" and "having the same rights, privileges, ability, rank, etc." Equity, on the other hand is defined as "justice, impartiality; the giving or desiring to give each person his due; anything that is fair." Equity is the belief and the practice of treating persons in ways that are fair, equal and just, regardless of their gender, race, ancestry, place of origin, color, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or family status. Gender equity is the belief and practice of treating both sexes in ways that are fair and just. It is the principle and practice of fair and equitable allocation of resources and opportunities for both females and males. Gender equity eliminates discriminatory practices which are barriers to full participation of either gender. Access equity is the belief and practice of treating all Canadians in ways that are fair and just.

FCA is committed to the principle and practice of fair and equitable allocation of resources and opportunities for all Canadians regardless of race, and ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status or family status. The Federation of Canadian Archers will take strong and clear initiatives to encourage participation by women, people with disabilities, First Nations people, new Canadians and other minority groups.

The Federation of Canadian Archers will work to ensure that access and gender equity are key considerations when developing, updating or delivering FCA programs, policies, and projects. The Federation of Canadian Archers believes that an effective education program is a cornerstone to achieving access and gender equity in sport. Efforts will be made towards raising the awareness and understanding of the access and equity issue in the sport community. The emphasis for access and gender equity is an attempt to attract and include girls and women, people with disabilities, First Nations people, new Canadians and other minority groups in archery, and bring them to an equitable level of participation in physical activity and sport. Meeting the challenge of access and gender equity in sport and physical activity may tax the resources and ingenuity of The Federation of Canadian Archers. However, the rewards are substantial, and well worth the effort.

The Federation of Canadian Archers has the opportunity to take a compelling leadership position by making a clear commitment to access and gender equity. Vision All archers will enjoy a full and equitable range of opportunities to participate in and lead all activities of The Federation of Canadian Archers. Goals The Federation of Canadian Archers will:

• 1. Achieve access and gender equity in the administration, policies, and programmes of the association.
• 2. Play a positive role in raising the awareness and understanding of access and gender equity among its members.

A. Leadership and Administration

• 1. The Federation of Canadian Archers ensures its by-laws use gender-neutral language.
• 2. The Federation of Canadian Archers will ensure that all Canadians at all levels in the archery system have equal opportunity to participate, compete, coach, officiate, administer, organize, lead, and instruct in a fair, and an unbiased environment.
• 3. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall declare publicly that it is an equal opportunity employer and respects the principles of pay equity in relationship to salaried employees.
• 4. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall practice family-friendly work practices such as flex-time, job sharing, child care support, harassment policies, non-discriminatory interview techniques, and pay equity.
• 5. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall develop positions and work proactively with provincial and national agencies to identify and eliminate barriers facing all Canadians in archery. Host clubs of National Championships shall strive to insure the availability of day care facilities.
• 6. The gender equity portfolio is included in a Federation of Canadian Archers' employee's job description.
• 7. The gender equity portfolio is included in a Federation of Canadian Archers' volunteer's job description.
• 8. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall strive to have an access and gender balance on its board of directors.
• 9. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall strive to have both genders and minority groups represented on its committees - Archery Canada Council, High Performance Committee, Judges' Committee, and Coaching Certification Committee.
• 10. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall collect gender-based and athletes with a disability statistics on an annual basis.
• 11. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall analyse the disbursement of funds on a gender and minority group basis.

B. Education The Federation of Canadian Archers recognizes that an effective education programme is necessary to the success of this policy.

• 1. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall use gender appropriate language and for all publications, videos and advertisements include a balance of men, women and minority group images.
• 2. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall provide guidelines on best-practices and materials to educate its members.
• 3. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall publicly recognise member organisations that make advancements with respect to women and minority groups and sport.
• 4. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall provide forums for discussions on access and gender equity issues.
• 5. Through the newsletters, communicate the achievements of women and minority groups in archery. Federation of Canadian Archers Fédération Canadienne des Archers Version #1 2008-04-18 15
• 6. Develop a set of InfoClub pamphlets concerning women and minority groups in archery, and actively promote their circulation.

C. External Liaisons

• 1. Federation of Canadian Archers representatives at external meetings shall understand and be committed to the principles of access and gender equity as set out in this policy, and actions at these meetings should reflect these principles. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall strive to have both sexes represented on its delegations to external forums and conferences.
• 2. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall not solicit nor accept sponsorship from companies which discriminate against women and minority groups.
• 3. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall lobby FITA to create equal competitive opportunities for all Canadians at world championships and international competitions controlled by the International Federation.
• 4. The Federation of Canadian Archers shall maintain membership in associations that are concerned with the status of women and minority groups.

D. Promotion

• 1. The Federation of Canadian Archers will increase the exposure, and build awareness, of women and minority groups in all aspects of archery.
• 2. The Federation of Canadian Archers will represent women and minority groups of all ages with respect and so as to enhance self-esteem.
• 3. The Federation of Canadian Archers will actively promote archery as a sport for all people