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New how-to guide seeks to get more women running for political office

The Alberta NDP recently made history for becoming a government with the highest proportion of women in caucus, but the case in other provinces, and federally, is not nearly the same.

A few years ago the most provinces were led by a female premier, but now only three remain: Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. On the federal scene so far, candidates for the next election are primarily male and gender representation in the House of Commons next fall could pale in comparison to what it is now.

Amid the troubling numbers for those seeking gender parity at all levels of government, Carleton University’s Centre for Women in Politics and Public Leadership and Equal Voice, a national advocacy group, have produced a how-to guide for women wanting to enter the world of politics.

“Running for office can be intimidating but we need many more women to consider jumping in,” said Clare Beckton, executive director of the Centre for Women in Politics and Public Leadership.

Just looking at the numbers game, the more women run for office, the likelier they are to get election. But there are plenty of hurdles — unfair media coverage and the ‘big boys club’ mentality of politics to name a couple — that hold women back from throwing their hats in the ring.

“We wanted to encourage them by providing a roadmap for the process and reminding women that there are many role models out there who are often willing to help,” said Beckton.

The guide includes a self-assessment exercise, advice on developing campaign strategy and tips on how to fundraising. Want a political mentor? Have no idea what it takes to be effective on social media? Need help assembling a team of volunteers? There’s information about all of that in the guide.

Along with the new government in Alberta making history when it comes to women in politics, the province’s new premier, Rachel Notley, has brought back a minister for the status of women. Alberta hasn’t had one for almost two decades and many consider this move long overdue.

Now, new minister and rookie MLA Shannon Phillips will be tackling some big issues on in the file: high child care costs, the biggest gender wage gap in the country and what some consider a crisis in funding for emergency women’s shelters.

A press release announcing the Carleton and Equal Voice guide notes that Canada ranks 55th in the world for its representation of women in office at the federal level and that the provinces represented by a female premier also have the highest percentages of female MLAs or MPPs.

“The under-representation of women in political public leadership has far-reaching implications for the nation’s challenges,” the press release states. “Studies have shown that women tend to include more diversity of viewpoints in decision-making, have broader concepts of public policy and are more likely to be collaborative in trying to resolve differences of opinion.”

According to the release, Equal Voice plans to get 5,000 women ready to run for office over the next five years.