The Chair of Equal Voice NL says it is important to note when there is a lack of women involved in running in politics and use it as an opportunity to highlight what can be done to get more running.
Equal Voice is a multi-partisan national organization focused on training and electing Canadian women. In the hours following the premier’s announcement that he is leaving office, speculation immediately began to swirl over who will replace him. However, there was a noticeable absence of women, either coming forward or being suggested.
Melissa Royle says Equal Voice is about equipping women with the skills to put their names out there.
She says they have training sessions, try to make informal mentorships and build networks as there are barriers that impact all people trying to enter politics, however research shows they affect women more.
Royle says the informal mentorships that are formed through the group are something she’s a big fan of. She claims another reason women tend to not run in politics as often is a lack of networks, funding and support that men can have.