Having considered the individual, social, and political barriers to the success of women in politics, this paper will now propose how the political system might be reformed so as to provide maximum opportunities for women. However, while there are many ways in which the political system could be more conducive to the success of women, certain steps could be taken to encourage civic participation outside the party system. While the low demand for female candidates from political parties “has played a role in the persistent underrepresentation of women … the supply of women putting their names forward also factors into the equation (Courtney & Smith 2010). Resources such as campaign schools may guide and encourage women to seek public office,
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Thus, there remains the option of altering the electoral system so as to provide more opportunities for women. While some suggest that proportional representation or single transferrable vote systems allow greater opportunities for women, research has shown “that electoral systems do not influence the way female politicians see their role of representing women” (Schwindt-Bayer, Malecki, & Crisp 2010). While single transferrable vote systems have increased the share of female representation in Australia, it has had the opposite effect in Ireland (Schwindt-Bayer, Malecki, & Crisp 2010). Given Canada’s reluctance towards electoral reform, it is unlikely that inconclusive results such as this would incline the government to such a plan. Another method to increase the share of women in government is to simply impose an equality guarantee. This is essentially a quota that requires a certain number of Members of Parliament to be women (Tremblay & Stockemer 2013). However, such a measure is controversial and some have said that “Canada is highly resistant to legislative measures that would guarantee women seats, perceiving such measures as discriminatory, insulting to women, and overly interventionist” (Courtney & Smith 2010). Some women themselves see such a measure as unnecessary as a female Member of the …show more content…
Nonetheless, these issues are unlikely to attract significant attention unless a larger number of women have the political influence to address them. The empowering effects of these laws would in turn allow more women to enter politics. Such policies include early childhood education, which would greatly benefit Canadian mothers. Currently, Canada spends only “0.25% of its gross domestic product (GDP) for children between the ages of zero and six years”, which is less than half of what is spend by the United States (Courtney & Smith 2010). Moreover, “Women's access to safe and legal abortion is integral to their ability to achieve equality” (Courtney & Smith 2010). While abortions were decriminalized in 1969, access to safe abortions remains difficult for Canadian women, it is often the most difficult for those who need it the most (Courtney & Smith 2010). Finally, while the share of women in the workforce approaches half, their compensation remains lower, as they continue to work full time for just under three quarters of what a man would earn in a similar role (Courtney & Smith 2010). For the sake of Canadian women, these issues must be addressed, and as such the political participation of women must also be
Thus, there remains the option of altering the electoral system so as to provide more opportunities for women. While some suggest that proportional representation or single transferrable vote systems allow greater opportunities for women, research has shown “that electoral systems do not influence the way female politicians see their role of representing women” (Schwindt-Bayer, Malecki, & Crisp 2010). While single transferrable vote systems have increased the share of female representation in Australia, it has had the opposite effect in Ireland (Schwindt-Bayer, Malecki, & Crisp 2010). Given Canada’s reluctance towards electoral reform, it is unlikely that inconclusive results such as this would incline the government to such a plan. Another method to increase the share of women in government is to simply impose an equality guarantee. This is essentially a quota that requires a certain number of Members of Parliament to be women (Tremblay & Stockemer 2013). However, such a measure is controversial and some have said that “Canada is highly resistant to legislative measures that would guarantee women seats, perceiving such measures as discriminatory, insulting to women, and overly interventionist” (Courtney & Smith 2010). Some women themselves see such a measure as unnecessary as a female Member of the …show more content…
Nonetheless, these issues are unlikely to attract significant attention unless a larger number of women have the political influence to address them. The empowering effects of these laws would in turn allow more women to enter politics. Such policies include early childhood education, which would greatly benefit Canadian mothers. Currently, Canada spends only “0.25% of its gross domestic product (GDP) for children between the ages of zero and six years”, which is less than half of what is spend by the United States (Courtney & Smith 2010). Moreover, “Women's access to safe and legal abortion is integral to their ability to achieve equality” (Courtney & Smith 2010). While abortions were decriminalized in 1969, access to safe abortions remains difficult for Canadian women, it is often the most difficult for those who need it the most (Courtney & Smith 2010). Finally, while the share of women in the workforce approaches half, their compensation remains lower, as they continue to work full time for just under three quarters of what a man would earn in a similar role (Courtney & Smith 2010). For the sake of Canadian women, these issues must be addressed, and as such the political participation of women must also be