Somya Ottawa, Ontario

Fair address: Ottawa Regional Fair

Project: The Evolution of Feminism Through Key Figures

This project analyses women’s rights since confederation and follows feminists throughout various time periods. By comparing 20th century feminism to 21st century feminism, we will try to explain why feminism is still relevant and important.

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

It was an eye opener to learn how far women have come but a lot more work still needs to be done. The most interesting thing was the people I met while researching for this project. The women I talked to during this project were successful in their fields. I had so much fun meeting and talking to them. I hope for a day when credibility before gender is a norm and we see more capable women shine in various fields.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

Looking solely at a political perspective of Canada’s legal system and laws, one could say that in Canada, the rights of women are equal to those of men. However, if you were to look at the social perspective, the same statement can not be concluded. You can see through social media and even from the comments made by some people, that discrimination towards women is still exists in our society. We need to look at both perspectives to conclude about gender equality in Canada.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

In today's world, women take the right to education and working for granted. It was surprising to find that only a few decades ago, women weren't allowed to attend schools or work at jobs.