Workshop to Increase Women's Political Participation

STATUS OF WOMEN--Workshop to Increase Women's Political Participation

Women interested in increasing their political involvement will meet in Halifax on Saturday, Jan. 17. Status of Women Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson and MP Alexa McDonough will be among the speakers at a panel discussion. MLA Diana Whalen, Councillor Sheila Fougere, and Stephanie Hunter, co-ordinator of Feminists for Just and Equitable Public Policy, will also participate.

"We want to see more women involved in decision-making at the provincial level, and these workshops will help," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson.

The workshop is designed to let women reflect on the kinds of political and leadership experiences they've had so far, and to inform them about how to apply for positions on government's many agencies, boards and commissions. It will also encourage women to find ways to become active in their community, municipality, province or country. Researcher Barbara Cottrell will discuss a project involving women and municipal politics.

Political involvement is one of the final frontiers for women's equality in Nova Scotia. The province has the third lowest proportion -- 12 per cent -- of women sitting in its legislature. Quebec has the highest at 30 per cent and one third of Canadian members of Parliament are women.

"If we want government to reflect women's perspectives, we need women of all backgrounds and from all walks of life in positions of power," said Doreen Paris, chair of the advisory council. "We're excited by the interest we've seen so far."

Saturday's event is the sixth of its type that the advisory council has organized. The others were held in Amherst, Sydney, Port Hawkesbury, New Glasgow, and Yarmouth.

The workshop is limited to 50 women and is filled.