Women continue to shy away from politics in NB
Gender balance not even close to fifty per cent
These numbers have to be very discouraging for females [in NB] hoping to take the leap into municipal politics in the future. Only 25 per cent have filed their nomination papers to run in the up-and-coming municipal elections next month while an even smaller amount, 20 per cent, are putting their name forward for mayor.
This despite the efforts from such groups as Canadian Women Voters Congress, Equal Voice and New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women who all advocate more gender balance in politics.
This negative trend never ceases to amaze me. Any thoughts?
17 Comments:
Nobody in their right mind would enter into a profession where they are ridiculed for their gender. Just look at Magarette-Ann Blaney who was deemed the weather girl. That explains it all.
It's not a profession a lot of women have an interest in despite the federal Liberals wanting to have a quota system which is just wrong on so many levels.
It would be nice to have more women involved and if there is something actually stopping them then address it but if it's because they don't want to (which is largely the case), well that's okay too.
... As we emerge from the Dark Ages of tribal collectivism, divisions of gender, "race", language, etc. will become increasingly irrelevant.
... Whether there will be no women in politics, or only women, will not even be an issue.
I think women should make it in on their own merits. Strategies such as the one Stephane Dion is currently using to increase women in his caucus, by overstepping the nomination process, does a disservice to the women who want to get in to the profession down the road.
anon: the same could be said for men as well. No one ever said politics was an easy profession.
spinks: I remember when you and PNB made the call on the internet for more women to get involved (a challenge per se). It worked as we see many more women with blogs and sites in NB. Maybe the same type of encouragement is required in all levels of government (without offering preferential treatment or side-stepping the rules).
iain: it would be nice to see the day when individual responsibilty trumps collectivism. As for women in politics, I still believe their must be more encouragement (in action and in words) from men since they were the ones who excluded women centuries ago.
bill: I agree with you and spinks, that policy was atrocious to say the least. It may have even cost them a by-election seat in Saskatchewan?
Don't forget Belinda's pink book:
http://www.liberal.ca/pdf/docs/PinkBook_ENG.pdf
Throwing down the gauntlet is a great idea. I doubt however that many women want to be treated different and given preferential treatment.
Besides the # of female candidates is up. Progress IS being made without NB giving special treatment. And women tend to get elected when they do run. No wonder. There are more female voters. Eliminating the opportunity for male candidates to run as Dion is doing seems to be a bit of a step backwards.
Good point, spinks. However, the list of nominations is at an all-time this year (at around 1,063) in comparison other years.
So that increase (68 more women from 2004), in comparison to men, isn't all that significant, especially since the number of men went up by over a hundred-and-fifty in comparison to '04.
So essentially, other then overall candidate participation, it's exactly the same gender balance as in the past, actually with the increase in participation, it's a bit worse.
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Where is the Gleaner getting 339 female nominations?
From my count, if the 1,063 holds up in their article and on the elections site, it means there are 262 total women (30 mayoral candidates and 232 candidates for council), not 339.
That would mean a drop from 271 female candidates in '04.
Because the way the Gleaners numbers add up would mean there are 1,228 individuals running for municipal council positions (989 men + 339 women), not 1,063. I'm confused.
The extra 77 is school board nominations as it appears most are vying for those positions.
Not sure how the 2004 numbers compare for councilors and mayor nominations as it would seem they may have counted the education board nominees into their numbers.
You are right though, the total is 262 total females of the 1,063 running for municipal council positions.
2008 Unofficial Candidate Totals
============================
Total: 1,063
Men: 801
Female: 262
Mayor: 30 females
Total % of women: 25 per cent
2004 Unofficial Candidate Totals
============================
Total: 989
Men: 781
Female 208
Mayor: 22 females
Total % of women: 21 per cent
My apologies to spinks and the Gleaner as it appears they are right, there is a 4 per cent increase in the flow of women into the municipal nomination process. Although, I still think the Daily Gleaner fudged the #s a bit in the first paragraph as they appear to lowball the males 2009 #s @ 898.
Have to agree with spinks. It seems to be a matter of choice. Seems there are a few female dominated work places too where men just don't choose to apply. Bet if you look you will find an increase in the number of women running their own business as it seems to suit their schedule better if they have a family.How many municipal meetings take place during the day time?
Great point, ww.
I think that women have been treated poorly and seen as second class citizens in this province for a long time. I remember the McKenna Government and how they treated women. He was on the advisory council on the staus of women while he was doing things that kept women down in the province. He says that the liberals put in Kindergarten but the women teachers were paid a partial salary although they needed all the credentials. That same liberal Government created all of these call centers and hyped them as high tech. computer business that afforded most of their female emlpoyees low to minimun wage jobs. Forgive my honesty but when your own Government treats women like this it is easy to shy away from politics.
Thanks for your honesty and comment. We wouldn't want it any other way on this blog.
Plus, you won't get any complaint from me on your assessment of the government's economic plan (past or present). And furthermore, when it comes to women in politics, like you, I believe that there is a true gender gap that exist between women and men. However, it will only be reduced if more women (like yourself) get involved so the system can be changed from within. It's ok to protest, but you can make a greater difference on the inside than you can on the outside looking in.
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