Raising Women’s Voices is a partnership between CFUW Guelph, the People and Information Network, the Rhyze Project and the Zonta Club of Guelph.
The initiative will feature two events aimed at encouraging women to run for city councils or school boards.
An open forum “Ask a Female Politician” will explore the opportunities and challenges of municipal politics.
The forum will feature a panel of current and former female politicians.
It will place on Nov. 14 from 7 to 9pm at Innovation Guelph and is open to all who are interested in learning more about women in politics, including those thinking about running for city councils or school boards and those who wish to support them.
The forum will be followed by the first ever Women’s Campaign School to be held in February at Guelph City Hall.
The campaign school will focus on skill building and practical advice for women wishing to run for office. Both events will be co-hosted by City of Guelph councillor June Hofland.
Women make up more than half the population. Yet when it comes to public office women fill only about a quarter of the seats at all levels of government. Women may care about different issues from men.
A critical mass of at least 30 per cent elected women is needed before legislatures produce public policy representing women’s concerns and before political institutions begin to change the way they do business, state officials.
When women run for office they tend to win in equal proportion to men. However, women face unique barriers both when seeking office and once elected that discourage them from becoming candidates.
It will take some time to change the numbers. With the current gender imbalance and the tendency of incumbents to win re-election more women are needed to stand for office before gender parity can be achieved.
To register or for more information visit gwcampaignschool.com or email wcampaignschool@gmail.com.
