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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Not so long ago, political roles were exclusively occupied by men.
Not only were women prevented from running for public office, they could not vote in the European parliamentary elections. elections until 1922. And even then, only some women get this right.
It will take nearly four decades before the right to vote is granted to all Islanders when, in 1960, First Nations people living on reserves will be granted the right to vote without losing their status. Registered Indian.
Charlottetown entered provincial history in 1968 with the election of the first woman mayor. To date, Dorothy Corrigan remains the only woman to hold this title in the provincial capital.
On November 5th, PEI Islanders will elect new mayors and councils. Women are running for mayor of the four municipalities covered by Elections P.E.I – Charlottetown, Summerside, Cornwall and Stratford – as well as for the last major city in the province, Three Rivers.
Of the four people targeted by Elections P.E.I., women represent 26% of candidates.
Candidates for Charlottetown City Council:
- Alanna Jankov – District 1
- Pauline MacIntyre – Ward 5
- Melissa Hilton – Ward 6
- Julie McCabe – Ward 9
- Kim Devine – mayor candidate
Dawn Wilson, executive director of the P.E.I Coalition for Women in Government, said she was initially disappointed by this figure. Comparing figures in the 2010 and 2014 elections, she noted an increase in the number of female candidates.
"There has been an improvement … in the last two elections, it is up, but it is well below parity," she said. "It's important for us to recognize that there have been gains."
In terms of percentages, Charlottetown is among the lowest number of women candidates per capita. With women accounting for 53% of Charlottetown's population (based on the 2016 Census), only 15% of Charlottetown City candidates are women – or four out of 27 – and of the five mayoral candidates, only one is a woman.
Having more women elected brings more diversity of experiences to the decision-making table, Wilson said.
"Women have a lot to offer based on their experience and their voices have a lot to add to the discussions that have taken place, it can really impact the lives of Islanders."
Melissa Hilton, a Charlottetown board member since 2005, has been the only board representative since 2008.
Hilton, who once again threw her hat in the ring, said she never felt that being a woman was an obstacle for her in her political career.
Although Hilton said it's hard to understand why more women are not actively involved in politics, it could be as simple as timing.
"Maybe it's not the right time for them and it's something they'll do later. It all depends on when and what is good for the candidate. "
Timing was an issue raised by women in focus groups and consultations, Wilson said, adding that another common problem raised concerns the traditional roles of men and women.
"Research has taught us that women still do a lot of the unpaid work at home, especially in caregiving (for children and the elderly)," she said, adding that 39, financial inequality could employment.
"They may not have the financial resources to be away from work or to contribute to a campaign," she said. "In addition, it is important to recognize that the gap is even greater for women in diverse communities, including people with disabilities, women of color and Aboriginal women."
Provincial Photo
P.E.I. in 2018
- Women Members – 0
- MPs – 18.5%
- Women appointed senators – 25%
- Female Lennox Island Band Council Members – 75%
- Abegweit First Nations Band Council – 0
Source: Peiwomeningovernment.ca
There are ways to make political life more accessible to women (for example, one hour of changing meetings) – which will benefit everyone involved, Wilson said.
"Gender roles are changing and men have more responsibility for care and play a more active role in the family. So when you make some of these changes, it does not necessarily mean that it will only benefit women, it can actually help everyone. "
Hilton may be interested in a variety of roles including caregiver and counselor.
In her early days, Hilton said she remembered attending evening board meetings, looking at her male counterparts and wondering, "Did any of you prepare a meal? for all guests at home now?
And because she got into politics when her daughters were young, Hilton said she thought she'd become a good role model for them.
"They saw me come out of my kingdom; they saw me coming out of my bubble. They saw me try something that I had never done before, which was wonderful. "
She has four women candidates for council in Charlottetown, which Hilton said she was happy to see.
"Would it be nice to have more women on the board with me? Absolutely. But fortunately, most of my counterparts have been supportive, "she said, adding that she encouraged anyone interested in running for public office, as her participation in the council was" an opportunity for # 39; incredible learning ".
"If you have an interest, go ahead and do it. If you have the support of your family and friends – and this is by far the most important thing – go ahead and do it. "
For more information on how women can get involved in politics, visit Peiwomeningovernment.ca.
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