Canadian Muslim Women Still Overqualified & Underemployed, CCMW National Employment Study Reveals, 20 Years Later

Written by Canadian Council of Muslim Women

Published in News

Toronto, Ontario June 20, 2024: Every day, highly skilled and ambitious Canadian Muslim women achieve academic goals in university and scholarly settings, yet Canadian Muslim women post-university struggle to find work. Why is this the case? What are the barriers that funnel women out of the workplace, and what are the supports that help them achieve their goals?

"…Eventually we'll be able to liberate ourselves from this systemic abuse… If you graduate university and you can't get a job because of your name. If you are qualified, and you have to start over because you wear a hijab on your head. This is abuse, this is financial abuse. This is exploitation. This is social abuse. It's really important for us to learn to name these things…"-Second generation Canadian Muslim woman with experience in senior management

Answers to these questions emerged from the diverse experiences of Canadian Muslim women navigating the workplace and labour market. These findings will be unveiled at a virtual launch hosted by the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) on June 20 at 1 pm EST. Register for the event here.

The study explores stories of diverse Canadian Muslim women’s challenges and pathways to employment success. The study is part of CCMW’s multi-year project, “Addressing Systemic Problems and Inequities to Resolve Employment Issues” (ASPIRE) funded by Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada.

“This study is further evidence of CCMW’s commitment to support Canadian Muslim women navigating the workplace and labour market, and reduce the systemic barriers they face in seeking or advancing employment,” says Nuzhat Jafri, CCMW’s Executive Director.

Study findings are consistent with an earlier study, “Muslim Women: Beyond Perceptions,” undertaken by CCMW in 2004. “It is sad to note that 20 years later, not much has changed. We hope that this compelling study and its recommendations will inform employment policies and force policy makers to rethink and restructure strategies, ensuring our workplaces are diverse, equitable and inclusive of diverse Muslim women,” added Jafri.

“This study is an important read for the Canadian public, especially employers. I spoke to many sincere employers deeply concerned with the wellbeing of their employees inclusive of racial and religious diversity. This report offers a window into the lives of Canadian Muslim women living at the intersections of multiple identities,” says Dr. Sarah Shah, ASPIRE research team Principal Investigator.

“While I knew the outcomes for Canadian Muslim women would be less favourable than the general public, some findings really shocked me. For example, higher education reduces unemployment for the general Canadian population, but it does not have the same effect for Muslim women. Canadian Muslim women with a postgraduate degree are as likely to report being unemployed and looking for work as those without a high school diploma,” added Dr. Sarah Shah.

We are thrilled to share the successful launch of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women's (CCMW) groundbreaking employment study! With almost 100 attendees joining us, the event was a remarkable testament to the dedication and enthusiasm surrounding this important initiative.

Highlights of the Event:

Incredible Turnout: Nearly 100 attendees gathered to support and learn about our comprehensive employment study, reflecting the community's commitment to advancing opportunities for Muslim women in the workforce.
Engaging Discussions: The launch featured insightful discussions and powerful testimonials from participants, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs experienced by Muslim women in the employment sector.
Key Findings: Our study uncovered crucial data that will help shape policies and programs to better support Muslim women in their professional journeys.
What's Next?

We invite you to explore the detailed findings and recommendations of our study. Access the following resources to stay informed and get involved:

About CCMW: The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) is a national charitable organization whose overarching mission is to ensure the equality, equity and empowerment of Muslim women. The story of CCMW begins in 1982 when a group of dynamic and devoted Muslim women from across Canada congregated in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Led by the late Dr. Lila Fahlman, these women sought to mobilize their passion for social justice and faith in order to enrich their communities and work towards the common good of Canadian society. For over 41 years, CCMW has proudly advocated on behalf of Canadian Muslims, encouraged civic engagement, empowered communities and promoted inter-cultural and inter-religious understanding.

Canadian Council of Muslim Women

The story of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) begins in 1982 when a group of dynamic and devoted Muslim women from across the country congregated in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Led by the late founder of CCMW, Dr. Lila Fahlman, these women sought to mobilize their passion for social justice and faith in order to enrich their communities and work towards the common good of Canadian society.

This inaugural meeting led to the establishment of CCMW, a not-for-profit organization that works to provide equity, equality and empowerment for all Canadian Muslim women. For the past 30 years, its proud and accomplished roster of members have achieved and continue to achieve great milestones for Muslim women and Canada’s multicultural landscape. As a highly diverse organization, CCMW is firmly committed to the overarching vision of improving the status of Muslim women to remain true to their Islamic heritage and Canadian identity.