When Christy Clark became Premier on March 14, it marked the first time in 20 years that B.C. has been led by a woman. Mere months later, another woman made history by becoming became the first Green Party candidate elected as a member of parliament. And then thereB次元官网网址檚 the fact four of the seven MLAs on the South Island are women.
However, before declaring a golden age for women in politics, Saanich-Gulf Islands MP and Green Party leader Elizabeth May says the hard work is just beginning.
When May was elected to the House of Commons on May 2, she began contacting other female members and soon helped form a new all-party womenB次元官网网址檚 caucus to tackle some of the issues facing women in politics.
The group, led by New Democrat Francois Boivin and Conservatives Nancy Ruth and Rona Ambrose, includes every woman member of the senate. The aim is to discuss challenges in a non-partisan light.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e exchanged horror stories with other women who have experienced similar things,B次元官网网址� May said, singling out comments about weight and fashion that female politicians must constantly deal with. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 hoping political culture can change.B次元官网网址�
Janni Aragon, a professor of political science specializing in gender politics at the University of Victoria, calls May a voice of reason.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 a little early to say that sheB次元官网网址檚 some kind of harbinger of hope for all female elected officials,B次元官网网址� Aragon said. B次元官网网址淚f anything, what weB次元官网网址檝e witnessed here is that she was able to effectively run a campaign in a new riding and win. I donB次元官网网址檛 think that speaks so much to her gender as to the politics of the day. People were so unhappy with the previous MP, Gary Lunn.B次元官网网址�
Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Carole James, who was ousted from her position as provincial leader of the NDP in late 2010 as a result of party infighting, says it is getting better for women in politics.
Despite the personal insults and heckling, the atmosphere in what is still a mainly male-dominated environment has improved over the seven years James served as opposition leader, she said.
B次元官网网址淲e still have a long way to go for women in politics and I donB次元官网网址檛 think thatB次元官网网址檚 unique to British Columbia; I think thatB次元官网网址檚 common across the country,B次元官网网址� James said. B次元官网网址淭here are many women, myself included, who believe in doing politics differently.B次元官网网址�
When James was vocal about her desire to lessen the hostile environment at the legislature, she felt she was regarded as weak or unable to keep up with the cut and thrust of the political games, she said.
By retaining her position as MLA despite the public scrutiny she endured, James hopes to set an example to other women and contribute to a positive change in the political scene.
B次元官网网址淚 certainly wouldnB次元官网网址檛 say that itB次元官网网址檚 all related to gender,B次元官网网址� James said.
B次元官网网址淭he more that weB次元官网网址檙e able to elect people B次元官网网址� women, young people, folks from the multicultural community, people who do politics in another kind of way and get more diverse faces in the system B次元官网网址� thatB次元官网网址檚 how I believe weB次元官网网址檒l be able to make the change.B次元官网网址�
May remains hopeful that the womenB次元官网网址檚 caucus will gain momentum and more females B次元官网网址� especially young women B次元官网网址� will strive to be political stars, rather than playing supporting roles.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got a sense that maybe things are coming together,B次元官网网址� May said.
nnorth@saanichnews.com
Women in Politics
Local Members of the Legislative Assembly
B次元官网网址� Carole James, Victoria-Beacon Hill
B次元官网网址� Maurine Karagianis, Esquimalt-Royal Roads
B次元官网网址� Lana Popham, Saanich South
B次元官网网址� Ida Chong, Oak Bay-Gordon Head
Local Members of Parliament:
B次元官网网址� Elizabeth May, Saanich-Gulf Islands
B次元官网网址� Denise Savoie, Victoria
