SDG 5: Western in Action for Gender Equality

To ensure equitable outcomes, Western has a Learning Development & Success portfolio. This office offers resources and supports to all students at Western. Staff members help students cope with the demands of post-secondary learning, helping to identify strengths and develop new skills and strategies for success. Some initiatives include:

• Learn2Learn: A program for incoming students to help adjust to university learning and set students up for learning success.
• Learn2Thrive Program: A 6-week program (offered online and in-person starting in October) specifically designed for students navigating academic challenges and setbacks.
• Looking to Bounce Back: The team helps students rebound from academic disappointment so they can respond to setbacks with a new motivation to develop the skills and the mindset to improve their academic performance.
• One-on-One Appointments: Students can book 30-minute individual sessions with student learning specialists via Western Connect to work on time management, test and exam preparation, lecture notetaking, and goal setting.
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Centre: Drop-in sessions and appointments with upper-year peers help students develop effective learning strategies and get free, one-to-one, course-specific help.
• Self-Guided Tools: Online learning self-assessments, handouts, and tips available directly through
• Skill-Building Workshops: Regular workshops cover practical strategies for reading effectively, managing time, note-taking, and active studying.
• Study Groups: Study groups help students to practice active learning. They provide an avenue for students to gain a deeper understanding of course material.

Other services available to hlep student thrive include:

• Academic Accommodation: Consists of arrangements that allow a student with a disability a fair opportunity to engage in academic activities and fulfill essential course and program requirements.
• Academic Consideration: Gives students consistent, fair, and academically appropriate consideration when unable to complete a course-related component due to extenuating circumstances.
• Parr Centre for Thriving: Is helping Western University become a nationwide leader in student support and success by funding innovative projects across campus that support student mental health and thriving.
• Student Experience Portfolio: Offers targeted academic support, mentorship, and wellness services, including programs for equity-deserving groups.
• Student Support & Case Management: Helps students who are experiencing challenges by facilitating a coordinated response at both the individual and community level. We support students in navigating resources and making informed decisions during their academic journey.
• Western Launch!: A series of modules designed to guide incoming students through a seamless transition into university life. From keeping track of important deadlines to navigating Western's diverse departments and uncovering insider tips, these modules are packed with the essential info to set students up for success.
• Western’s Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Department: provides academic programming and advocacy that supports gender equity and leadership development.
• Writing Support Centre: Assists writers regardless of their skill level or facility in English, at any stage of the writing process, in any genre, across the disciplines through in-house writing workshops and seminars, an annual writing conference, a summer transition program, an online presence, and through outreach initiatives.

Non-Discriminatory Admissions

Western has policies to ensure non-discriminatory admissions for women, Indigenous peoples, and other minority groups.

• The Non-Discrimination / Harassment / Sexual Misconduct Policy applies to all areas of the institution, including admissions. It prohibits withholding or limiting access on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status, or disability.
• The Undergraduate Degree Admissions Policy actively encourages applications from Indigenous and Black students, students with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, and additional underrepresented and/or marginalized communities.

At Western, admissions are solely grade-based and gender-blind, yet more female students enrol annually than male students.

Mentoring and Other Supports

We believe the diversity of our campus enriches the Western community. We strive to support underrepresented groups through admissions access categories, financial support, and mentoring.

• Extenuating Circumstances 
• Financial Support
• Indigenous Admissions Access Category 
• Mature and Senior Applicants 
• Medicine and Dentistry Access Pathway 
• Women's Access and Mentoring
• Youth in Extended Care 

The Resources for Students from Equity Deserving Groups website details scholarships, mental health supports, training, guides, mentoring programs, and more for students with disabilities, as well as Black, racialized, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, women (including trans women), first-generation students, youth in extended care, and allies.

Policy of Non-Discrimination

Western University has comprehensive, institution-wide policies that address both anti-discrimination and anti-harassment, ensuring a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of the university community.

These policies apply across all areas of the university’s operations, including academic programs, employment practices, student services, and campus life. They apply regardless of prohibited grounds of discrimination in Ontario: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, record of offences, marital status, family status, gender identity, or gender expression. This includes a clear commitment to protect women, transgender people, and all gender expressions, and to create safe workplaces.

• EDI policy: We recognize that equity-seeking groups include but are not limited to women, members of racialized groups (visible minorities), Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ individuals. 
• Non-Discrimination / Harassment / Sexual Misconduct Policy: Discrimination, Harassment or Sexual Misconduct toward individuals, whether as members of any recognizable group or otherwise, violate the fundamental rights, personal dignity and integrity of individuals or groups of individuals and will not be tolerated.
  • Procedures for reports of Discrimination or Harassment: All members of the University community share responsibility for ensuring and promoting a safe and respectful working and learning environment that is free from Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct.
  • Memo Updates: The Human Rights Office published official compliance updates to its institutional non-discrimination policy, reinforcing protection frameworks, safe reporting procedures, and strict prohibitions against retaliation.
• Policy on Gender-Based and Sexual Violence (GBSV): The university is committed to providing and maintaining an environment in which GBSV is not tolerated. GBSV is defined as: Any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity and gender expression, whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person’s consent, and includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism, cyber harassment and sexual exploitation.
  • Procedures for reports of GBSV: These procedures keep disclosures confidential and prioritize the well-being of the victim.
• Safe Campus Community Policy: Every member of the university community has the right to study, work, and conduct his or her activities in an environment free of violence. 
• Violence Prevention Initiative: Western is pioneering a new approach to gender-based and sexual violence prevention training by mandating training for all staff (Western Safe Campus Community) and incoming students (Mustangs for Consent). The goal is to promote education, prevent gender-based and sexual violence, and to build a proactive and safe campus culture.
• Western University Code of Student Conduct: Students are responsible for observing a standard of conduct that will contribute to the university’s mission, including respecting the rights, property, and well-being of other members of the university community and visitors to the campus.

These policies are supported by formal procedures for reporting, investigation, and resolution, ensuring accountability and protection for all. Western University continuously reviews and strengthens its policies to uphold a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all. Western has a dedicated Human Rights Office, which supports the reporting of any incidents of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct.

Parental Leave

Western supports parental leaves so that all parents can participate in child care duties. 

• Canadian EI maternity and parental benefits: People who are away from work because they are pregnant, have recently given birth, or are caring for their newborn or newly adopted child can receive up to 55% of their earnings over 12-18 months. 
• Ontario Pregnancy and parental leave in the Employment Standards Act: Guarantees all new parents the right to take parental leave. Employees on leave have the right to continue participation in certain benefit plans and continue to earn credit for length of employment, length of service, and seniority. In most cases, employees must be given back their old job at the end of their pregnancy or parental leave. 
• Pregnancy and Parental Leaves Policy: Western typically provides Supplemental Employment Insurance Benefits that provide eligible faculty and staff with additional funds. 
• Pregnancy, Parental & Adoption Leave: The Ontario Ministry of Labour, through the Employment Standards Act, provides employees who are pregnant or who are new parents with the right to take unpaid time off work. Most employees are eligible for paid benefits, which are administered by the Government of Canada.  

Childcare Facilities

Western offers access to an on-site licensed childcare program operated by the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario. The University Child Care Centre offers full- and part-time care for children aged 2 weeks to 4 years, available to all students, staff, and faculty. Child-care programs offered at Western are licensed and monitored by the Ministry of Education under the Day Nurseries Act. The regulations of the Act are designed to ensure certain standards are met for children's health, safety, development and learning in settings where more than five children of different parents are cared for.

Child Care & Schooling provides information on other reputable Licensed Child Care Centres throughout the city, as well as parenting and prenatal care resources. 

The Society of Graduate Students established the Western Day Care Centre non-profit in 1972. They remain committed to providing a stimulating, safe, and secure environment with programs that are designed to meet the unique needs of children. 

Resources for Parents helps Western parents find information on programs, services, and resources at Western and in the London community. 

Western University offers a wide variety of summer camps throughout July and August for school-aged children. Explore different options that may interest your camper, such as Math Camp, Sport Western, and more. 

Safe Disclosure

Western has policies protecting those who disclose harassment. The Non-Discrimination / Harassment / Sexual Misconduct Policy applies to all members of the campus community. It specifically states: 

Any reprisals, retaliation or threats of reprisals or retaliation for pursuing rights under this policy, for having participated in its procedures, or for acting in any role under this policy and its procedures are prohibited. 

The University understands that it may be difficult to come forward with a concern regarding harassment and discrimination. The Human Rights Office and Western University will make every reasonable effort to handle inquiries, complaints and related proceedings in a manner that protects the privacy of all parties. Where a disclosure is made, every effort will be made to maintain the confidentiality of the reporter.

Further policies and procedures for unions and employee groups with articles on non-discrimination/harassment in their agreements can be found at this link.