CALGARY, Alta. – A new mentoring program through Alberta Status of Women aims to increase gender equality in the province’s workplaces by expanding leadership opportunities for women. According to a media release from the Alberta government, Status of Women Minister Stephanie McLean launched the six-month program in Calgary on Sept. 20. The initiative will match female workers with leaders in engineering, construction, finance, academia and business development. These mentors will share advice, connections and opportunities with protégés to assist them in their careers, the release added. “All women in Alberta deserve an equal opportunity to succeed, but still face systemic inequalities,” said McLean in a press statement. “Women do double the unpaid care work, get paid less for equal work and are less represented in senior roles. By connecting women with personal champions, we unlock their economic potential and help remove barriers.” Only 39 per cent of senior management positions in Alberta are held by women, the release noted. The government plans to evaluate the mentorship program next spring, before deciding whether to expand it to other sectors and locations.