Link of the Day: Equal Voice

Equal Voice is “a group of women and men who are deeply concerned about Canadian politics and have formed a multi-partisan, non-profit organization devoted to the still-bold idea that more women must be elected to every level of government in Canada.”

Tokenism? Quite the opposite. “While women have made gains over the past twenty years,” Equal Voice explains, “progress has been slow. The numbers of women elected to the House of Commons has hovered around the 20% mark since 1993. Women are 52% of Canada’s population and make up an average of 21% of Canada’s municipal councils, provincial legislatures and the House of Commons.”

What’s more, Canada’s worldwide ranking on the political representation of women has fallen to fiftieth. “Despite enjoying economic prosperity and political stability, Canada now has fewer women elected than most of Europe, parts of Africa, and Australia.”

A government that includes more female officials is a more representative government, and not just because the numbers themselves are more representative. “Polling data consistently demonstrates women care about different issues,” Equal Voice explains. “The United Nations has emphasized that equality in decision-making is essential to the empowerment of women, noting a critical mass is needed before legislatures produce public policy representing women’s concerns.”

Please take a moment to check them out, and to learn more about what you can do to help.

Posted in Link of the Day