The Organization
About Equal VoiceEqual Voice is a national, bilingual, non-profit, multi-partisan organization dedicated to electing more women to all levels of political office in Canada.
Equal Voice regards the under-representation of women in Canada's Parliament, in our provincial/territorial legislatures, and on municipal and band councils, as a fundamental deficit in Canada’s democratic institutions.
Founded in 2001, Equal Voice has chapters in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, three of the four Atlantic provinces, as well as a dynamic national youth chapter. Equal Voice’s members include non-partisan individuals as well as women and men from all of Canada’s major political parties.
Equal Voice promotes the election of women by:
- Working with all political parties to increase the nominations of women candidates;
- Promoting electoral and other changes that would increase the numbers of women in politics;
- Conducting outreach with young women to inspire and engage them in politics as a future career choice;
- Encouraging women to run for office through programs such as our comprehensive, bilingual on-line campaign school;
- Raising awareness about the impact of women's under-representation;
- Celebrating women in politics; and
- Communicating and implementing EV's goals and activitiesthrough innovative programming, Equal Voice's chapters, our dynamic website, regular newsletters, media releases, Twitter and Facebook activity, and by hosting major events.
Why do we need gender balanced governments?
Why do we need gender balanced governments? While women have made many gains in the political realm over the past twenty years, progress has been slow. From about 1993 until 2011, the numbers of women elected to the House of Commons hovered around the 20% mark. Fortunately, this past federal election in May of 2011, Equal Voice celebrated a new record when nearly 25% women (24.6%), 76 women in total, were elected to the House of Commons.
Women are over 50% of Canada's population and currently comprise an average of 25% of Canada's municipal councils, provincial legislatures and the House of Commons.
Canada's international ranking on women's political representation is currently 39th (as of November 2011). Despite the notable gains in the recent federal election, Canada still has fewer women elected than most of Europe, parts of Africa, and Australia (see the Interparliamentary Union's web site for a full listing.)
Polling data consistently demonstrates women care about different issues. The United Nations has emphasized that equality in decision-making is essential to the empowerment of women, noting a critical mass is needed before legislatures produce public policy representing women's concerns.
Equal Voice aims to increase awareness about the need for gender balanced government.
Women are over 50% of Canada's population and currently comprise an average of 25% of Canada's municipal councils, provincial legislatures and the House of Commons.
Canada's international ranking on women's political representation is currently 39th (as of November 2011). Despite the notable gains in the recent federal election, Canada still has fewer women elected than most of Europe, parts of Africa, and Australia (see the Interparliamentary Union's web site for a full listing.)
Polling data consistently demonstrates women care about different issues. The United Nations has emphasized that equality in decision-making is essential to the empowerment of women, noting a critical mass is needed before legislatures produce public policy representing women's concerns.
Equal Voice aims to increase awareness about the need for gender balanced government.