Canada is celebrating the eighth anniversary of Gender Equality Week, which takes place during the fourth week of September. This observance was established through the Gender Equality Week Act of 2018. The act aims to raise awareness about the significant contributions of Canadian women to the country's growth and identity.

This year, the government has introduced a unique initiative for children aged 7 to 12. The program, created by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), features an intergalactic robot game designed to teach concepts of inclusion, fairness, and gender equality. The game invites children to board a spaceship and embark on a mission to gather knowledge that will help create a better world for the fictional planet Ebarliz. The game emphasizes the importance of safety, learning, and self-expression.

In the game, players encounter the planet Int, which faces challenges related to equality among its robot inhabitants. A lesson plan accompanying the game highlights the disparity in labor among pottery-making robots. Half of the robots must fetch water to create their products, while the other half have advanced water systems, allowing them to work more efficiently and earn more money. The goal is for players to understand that while everyone is working hard, some face additional burdens that hinder their success.

Critics have raised concerns about the game's approach, particularly regarding its binary representation of gender among robots. They argue that it overlooks the complexities of gender diversity. Additionally, some view the initiative as a roundabout way to address the challenges faced by working mothers, who often juggle multiple responsibilities.

WAGE, which was previously known as Status of Women Canada, has faced scrutiny for its evolving focus. Critics point out that the organization's timeline of gender equality milestones increasingly emphasizes gender identity issues over women's specific rights. For instance, the timeline includes significant events such as the 2017 passage of Bill C-16, which expanded protections for transgender and gender-diverse Canadians. However, some argue that this shift has led to a diminished focus on the unique challenges faced by women.

The Gender Equality Week Act acknowledges that many experiences and challenges faced by women are also shared by individuals with minority gender identities. This broader perspective has sparked debate about the definition and scope of gender equality in Canada. As the week unfolds, discussions about the balance between women's rights and gender identity issues are likely to continue.