Group seeks to give women equal voice in politics

With five female premiers in Canada, women are making remarkable strides in politics.

Still, there is much work to be done to get women on the ballot, says the head of Equal Voice, a non-partisan organization that promotes women in politics.

“With an election looming in Nova Scotia, it’s time to get women excited and prepared to run for office,” national chairwoman Raylene Lang-Dion said Tuesday in a news release.

On Feb. 16, Equal Voice will hold a one-day workshop in Halifax to encourage more women to take on political roles.

During the workshop, female politicians from the NDP, Liberal and Progressive Conservative parties will share their insights and advice.

The workshop also aims at encouraging women to run for positions within political parties.

After the workshop, interested women can arrange mentoring by experienced politicians and party officials who have agreed to serve as strategic advisers or campaign coaches.

The event, open to the public, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Mount Saint Vincent University. The workshop is free of charge, but advance registration is required by Feb. 12.

In the 2009 provincial election, the number of women in the House increased to 12 from nine.

For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Jennifer Mowbray at nsproject@equalvoice.ca.

(Source: The Chronicle Herald)