ASPIRE Study — Canadian Council of Muslim Women

Still Overqualified and Underemployed? Canadian Muslim Women’s Experiences of Employment Barriers and Facilitators

A groundbreaking study that explores stories of diverse Canadian Muslim women’s challenges and pathways to employment success.

Author, Study Lead Investigator: Dr. Sarah Shah PhD

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.

In 2004, Daood Hamdani collaborated with CCMW to examine the employment outcomes of Canadian Muslim women and found these women to be overqualified yet underemployed at higher rates than the general Canadian population. Twenty years later, (how) have things changed? Are employment disparities still confronting Canadian Muslim women? Findings of the current study indicate that Canadian Muslim women remain under- and unemployed at significantly higher rates than the general Canadian population. Canadian Muslim women are less likely to report being employed, working full-time, and holding senior or middle management positions compared with the general Canadian population. Conversely, they are more likely to report working part-time and being unemployed while looking for work.

This study aims to support more diverse, equitable and inclusive Canadian workplace environments. The study helps us understand challenges in recruiting, retaining, and promoting Canadian Muslim women and other diverse talents. The findings will inform the development of tools and strategies to increase women’s recruitment, retention and advancement in non-traditional and/or growing economic sectors in Canada.