Where are the women?
February 6, 2008 | 02:10 PM
Loralee Edwards
Last night I was watching Super Tuesday on CNN — they were discussing the record numbers of voters that had come out — and the amazing rise of young people and women who were voting. It occurred to me that maybe we (young people and women... OK, I'm not in the young category, only in the woman one, but you get my point) need someone to vote for.
We need a female or minority candidate who promises change — and I don't mean just by what they say. Let's be honest. In the U.S. the word 'change' is being thrown about like...well, loose change. But a woman or black man as presidential candidate in the United States is a symbol of change in itself.
I wondered how many women candidates are running in the provincial parties. The federal Conservatives are mostly a white male bunch, and it turns out the provincial ones are as well.
From their websites:
- Conservatives - 10 women candidates
- Liberals - 20 women candidates
- NDP - 33 women candidates
I know. As women we need to get out there and run in elections and create change. But seriously if social issues such as quality childcare, raising minimum wage, and low income housing don't change, many women just don't have the option of running in an elections — they are too busy working.
Or is that the idea?!
Comments: (1)
It is a frustrating cycle- I'm embarrassed that the Alberta Election is giving us only presenting middle aged, white men as candidates. It's time for some change.
Posted February 7, 2008 09:10 PM