News release

Council Urges Women to be Active in Politics

Status of Women

October is Women's History Month, and the theme for this year is volunteerism. Women of all backgrounds, everywhere in the world, make enormous contributions to the well-being of their families, their neighbours and their communities through volunteer work.

The Advisory Council on the Status of Women urges women throughout Nova Scotia to consider political life and public service as part of their possible volunteer commitments.

"We have only one woman -- Honourable Jane S. Purves -- in Cabinet at this time," says council chair Rita Warner. "There are only three women on the government side of the House of Assembly, and only one woman member on the opposition side."

Nova Scotia is worse off than other Canadian jurisdictions in having women in elected office. The Advisory Council has received a number of requests to do something about it from women in both rural and urban parts of the province.

Rita Warner suggests that, first of all, more women should apply for positions as members of agencies, boards and commissions of the provincial government. There are many fascinating areas in which they have a role, and there are many where women are seriously under-represented. It is no longer difficult to apply for positions: they are advertised twice a year, in the fall and in the spring. Send a letter expressing your interests and a résumé showing what you would bring to the position to the Executive Council Office, P.O. Box 2125, Halifax, B3J 3B7

"To find out more about the various agencies, boards and commissions, visit the Nova Scotia government Web site, at www.gov.ns.ca , talk to government officials working in areas of interest to you, watch for the twice-yearly ads, or call us at the Advisory Council for guidance in seeking further information," suggests Rita Warner.

Being a member of an agency, board or commission is a valuable and interesting way to extend your volunteer work into areas of public life that interest you and that let you make a difference in the world around you.

To encourage women to become more active in politics, the Advisory Council will be holding a series of workshops during the winter months: watch our Web site, at www.gov.ns.ca/staw , for more information, contact the Advisory Council member in your area or call us toll-free at 1-800-565-8662.