INTRODUCTION

In coming to terms with the scope of this paper, a number of facts were already foremost in my mind. Women are, by and large, better educated than men, i.e., have more years of schooling than men. The better educated a woman is, the more likely she is to be in the labour force. In spite of this, Canadian women still, on average, only earn 60% of what men earn and most of the 40% differential cannot be accounted for by differences in seniority, experience or qualifications. It can only be accounted for then, by systemic sex discrimination, which creates occupational segregation and pays women less for work that is of equal value to that done by men.

What role, I wondered, does the education system, particularly the post-secondary system play in this state of affairs? What remedies are there, beyond the study and exposure of the problem and beyond additions to already long lists of recommendations and suggestions for change? This paper looks at where women students are, particularly in the university system, in an effort to understand what role the education system plays in creating the ultimate disadvantage for women - the 60 ¢ dollar in the employment market. Clearly, the post-secondary system makes an important 'contribution' to the existing state of affairs. The remedies to the situation are complex. The paper looks at the potential of Equal Opportunity Legislation as a possible remedy.