News release

School Helps Women Run for Elected Office

Status of Women

The Nova Scotia Campaign School for Women will teach women how to enter a political race and plan a campaign.

The Advisory Council on the Status of Women is holding the school from Friday, Oct. 16, to Sunday, Oct. 18, at Mount Saint Vincent University, a longtime partner in training women leaders.

The non-partisan school provides skills and knowledge to run a political campaign, including training in public-speaking, media relations, fund-raising, budgeting, planning and team building.

Among the experts and volunteers who will serve as mentors and critics will be women in elected office, such as Denise Peterson-Rafuse, Community Services Minister, Seniors Minister, and Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons Commission, and the Status of Women.

"We can celebrate the historic number of women holding seats in the legislature, but it's not enough," Ms. Peterson-Rafuse said. "We want more women in all their diversity to participate in public roles."

In the 2009 provincial election, 12 of 52 seats (23 per cent went to women. In the 2008 federal election, women won 69 of 308 seats (22 per cent). At the municipal level, women hold 21 per cent of council positions.

"We get calls from other provinces and territories that are considering setting up similar political programs," said Jean d'Entremont, advisory council chair. "Many of the calls are from women in elected office. They understand first hand how important it is to encourage and nominate women as candidates."

Enrolment is first-come first-served for the free school. School organizers encourage women from all backgrounds and regions of the province to enroll.

Brochures and application forms are available at www.women.gov.ns.ca or call 1-800-565-8662.