News release

Campaign School Helps Women Enter Politics

Status of Women

The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women is holding its sixth Campaign School for Women from Oct. 14 to 16.

It will offer a series of workshops to help women interested in running for political office get a realistic look at what it takes to participate in a campaign.

"Women often face unique challenges when running for political office," said Marilyn More, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. "If we're to increase the number of women in leadership positions, we need to provide all women the support and information they need to successfully engage in the political process."

More than half of Nova Scotia's population is female, yet women make up only 24 per cent of town and city councillors, 23 per cent of MLAs, and nine per cent of MPs.

"We really encourage women to take on the challenge of political leadership," said Stephanie MacInnis-Langley, executive director of the advisory council. "The campaign school is one way we can motivate more women to participate in politics by providing them with good information from women who have gone through the campaign process themselves."

The non-partisan Campaign School for Women will be held at Mount Saint Vincent University and is open to any Nova Scotia women interested in running for political office. Registration runs until Oct. 4. For more details and to register go to www.women.gov.ns.ca.

The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women is committed to increasing the participation of women in decisions that affect their lives, families and communities. One way women can realize equality, inclusion and empowerment is through direct political involvement.