Project will support and promote gender parity and gender equality in all orders of government
OTTAWA, Oct. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to advancing gender equality and recognizes that when more women participate in politics and civic life, we get decisions that better reflect Canadians' diverse needs and experiences.
That is why today, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, announced Government of Canada funding for a project that will empower the next generation of women leaders, and increase women's participation in politics with a view to creating more gender-balanced governments.
Equal Voice, a national organization dedicated to electing more women to all orders of government, will receive $3.8 million in funding for their project, Daughters of the Vote. This 36-month project, which builds on the successes of the inaugural Daughters of the Vote held in 2017, will encourage more young women to consider a career in politics or public life. Young women from coast to coast to coast, aged 18 to 23, will be selected to take a seat in Canada's Parliament – one for each of Canada's 338 federal ridings.
Through the project, participants will be engaged in two national events in the House of Commons -- the first cohort in 2019 and the second in 2021. The goal is to ensure that both groups of 338 emerging young leaders become familiar with Canada's political institutions, so they are equipped and inspired to participate in Canada's political decision-making and public policy direction now and in the future. To further that objective, each participant will develop a community pilot initiative in their riding and will be provided with a support system which will include mentorship by former Members of Parliament and Senators, and women in elected positions across the provinces and territories.
More details about when applications for Daughters of the Vote are open will be announced in the very near future.
This project represents one of the ways the Government of Canada is investing in the sustainability of the women's movement; in this case, by working in partnership with the non-profit and private sectors. The Government of Canada welcomes co-investment opportunities like this as part of its plan for the middle class.
Quotes
"Research shows that more women and diversity, in politics, on boards or on teams, leads to better decision-making. Canadian women are courageous, educated and talented, yet they represent only 27% of seats in Parliament, 33% of seats in provincial and territorial legislatures, and 18% of mayors. During the first Daughters of the Vote in March 2017, there were more women occupying seats in Parliament then have been elected in the entire history of Confederation. Canada can and will do better. Our government is proud to support this important project that not only empowers young women from across the country to seek public office, but gives them the tools to lead in their own communities. Efforts like this are essential to ensuring a stronger, more representative democracy where everyone, regardless of gender, has an equal and fair chance at success."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women
"The percentage of women in Parliament continues to rise, albeit slowly, but it is imperative that we provide more access and better support for the diverse and dynamic young women of today who are actively interested in shaping Canada's future. The Daughters of the Vote initiative is designed to provide meaningful engagement along with support and guidance from leading women in Canadian politics. We greatly appreciate the Government of Canada's support for the women leaders of tomorrow."
Nicole Foster, National Chair
Equal Voice
"Air Canada is proud to continue its long-standing support for Equal Voice and Daughters of the Vote. Not only have we seen more women become political candidates and elected into governments since our time with Equal Voice, we have also seen women expand their roles in communities around the country as leaders in social activism and justice. Diversity, Equality and Leadership are core values at Air Canada and we are proud that Equal Voice has been highly successful in advancing these areas for the betterment of our country."
Ferio Pugliese, Senior Vice President-Regional Markets and Government Relations
Air Canada
"Having diverse and inclusive leadership at the table is critical to driving the innovation growth needed to move our country forward. Imperial is committed to supporting efforts to build the next generation of women leaders."
Theresa Redburn, Senior Vice-President of Commercial and Corporate Development
Imperial
"As a founding sponsor of Equal Voice, Johnson & Johnson is delighted that the Government of Canada is funding a second iteration of Daughters of the Vote. Providing young women with the opportunity to imagine themselves in public office is not just an investment in women, but in Canada's future."
Dr. Lesia Babiak, Chair, Government Affairs Council
Johnson & Johnson Inc. Canada
"TekSavvy is thrilled to support the Daughters of the Vote program again in 2019. It was so moving to participate in the march in 2017, and to see firsthand how this program changes the lives of so many young women. Their passion for their local communities and causes is an inspiration to us all."
Janet Lo, VP, Confidentiality and Privacy and Consumer Legal Affairs
TekSavvy
"Last year, VIA Rail actively supported Daughters of the Vote as one of its two main official transportation partners. The promotion of women in politics is consistent with VIA Rail's commitment to women's active participation in our country's social, environmental and economic governance. That is why we are proud to renew our partnership for this year's event."
Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and CEO
VIA Rail Canada
Quick Facts
- On March 8, 2017, on the occasion of International Women's Day, and to mark the 100th anniversary of women's formal federal political engagement, Equal Voice invited 338 young women between the ages of 18 and 23 — one from each of the federal ridings — to Ottawa to take part in Daughters of the Vote, a project created to promote the participation of women in politics and government.
- A majority of Canadians surveyed by Abacus Data in 2016 believed it would take 18 years or longer for there to be gender parity in the House of Commons while 25% think it would never happen.
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Backgrounder
Status of Women Canada – Women's Program
One of the ways Status of Women Canada advances gender equality is by providing funding to eligible organizations through the Women's Program. Projects are selected via calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process that allows the Women's Program to address emerging issues as they arise.
The Women's Program provides funding for up to three years to projects that address barriers to women's participation and equality in Canadian society in three priority areas: ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.
Funded Project
Founded in 2001, Equal Voice is a national, bilingual, multi-partisan organization dedicated to electing more women to all levels of political office in Canada.
Equal Voice believes the equal representation of women in all levels of government is a fundamental question of fairness for women in terms of their access to Canada's democratic institutions.
The Equal Voice National Advisory Board includes some of Canada's most prominent women politicians representing three political parties.
Project Description
Equal Voice will receive $3.8 million from Status of Women Canada for Daughters of the Vote, a 36-month project that will provide guided, meaningful leadership opportunities for young women to increase their participation in formal political arenas through engagement with a diverse array of elected officials and the political institutions in which they serve.
Through the project, young women will be engaged in two national events – the first cohort in 2019 and the second cohort in 202 – in the House of Commons, for each of the 338 federal ridings across Canada.
For each event, Equal Voice will be inviting young women, ages 18 to 23, to be one of 338 representatives, who will take their seats in Parliament. A young woman will be chosen from every federal riding in Canada to represent her community and to communicate her vision for Canada.
Equal Voice's objective for the Daughters of the Vote initiative is to ensure that the two cohorts of 338 emerging young women leaders become familiar with Canada's political institutions so they are equipped and inspired to participate in the formal political sphere in the years and decades to come.
Following the 2019 cohort, each participant will develop a community pilot initiative in her riding on a topic important to them and will be provided with a support system which will include mentorship by former Members of Parliament and Senators. Women in elected positions across the provinces and territories will support the young women in carrying out their local community initiatives.
Project results will be shared with all relevant stakeholders and orders of government. Equal Voice will develop and disseminate a best practices and lessons learned guide to support systemic implementation of the project's activities.
Associated Links
Follow Status of Women Canada:
SOURCE Status of Women Canada
Justine Villeneuve, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Status of Women, 613-558-9795; Valérie Haché, Communications Officer, Status of Women Canada, 819-420-8684
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