Underrepresented

Councillors Bev Campbell and Heather Campbell, unrelated, would like to see more women around the County council table.

Fixing the gender gap in local government

Where are all the women? Why do so few participate in making the decisions that guide our community, our province, our country?

In Prince Edward County, women outnumber men, even if just slightly (12,965 women compared with 12,295 men, according to the most recent census). Yet just five women sit on a municipal council of 16 members— fewer than a third. Our federal and provincial representatives are both men. So, too, are the leaders of their respective parties.

While this gender imbalance isn’t new, some are working to try to change it.

Councillor Bev Campbell is one of the five women now sitting on council— and its longest-serving female member— currently serving her third term. Campbell is organizing an information meeting next week that she hopes will encourage women to consider a role in public service, and in doing so, begin to correct this imbalance.

Women bring a unique perspective to the issues of public governance, according to Campbell. But too few women see themselves taking on those roles in her view.

“Women have different life experiences, and frequently different attitudes and approaches to life,” said Campbell. “But those perspectives and attitudes are underrepresented in the very places where decisions are being made that have a direct impact on their lives and

those of their families.” Why do comparatively few women seek out these roles?

Bev Campbell believes part of the answer lies breaking a self-fulfilling cycle. She argues that young women look at various levels of government and see men dominating the discussion. They don’t see a role for themselves in this dialogue. As a result, few women challenge men for these roles, and so men continue to dominate the discussion.

“Women don’t see themselves reflected in these bodies, so traditionally they tend not to step forward,” says Campbell.

She also contends that women are deterred by the assumption that one must be a business or community leader in order to run for public office.

“In general women don’t have the experiences that would typically lead them to consider themselves as potential candidates,” explains Campbell. “If you haven’t experienced those roles—we tend not to see ourselves as capable of those roles.

“I don’t consider this a valid assumption but for many women it remains an obstacle,” explained Campbell. “We assume the males in the room have the experience and a natural bent for being there.”

Municipal government, in particular, determines the policies that shape the community and reach directly into households. She argues that women need to be part of this decision making—that the issues are too important to leave to men alone.

To this end Campbell is putting out a call to all women to join her on Monday, October 29 at 7 p.m. If you have ever considered changing the way something works in your community, if you have ever wanted something fixed, or simply a better balance in who represents you, consider joining Campbell in the Stone Room at Macauley House, 35 Church Street, Picton.

She will be joined by fellow councillor Heather Campbell, new to council this term. Former councillor Lori Slik will also be there. Slik served two terms on council. County Clerk Victoria Leskie will describe the roles and responsibilities of those who serve on council. And Times columnist Theresa Durning will provide her perspective as an observer of municipal government and its policies.

“Women are needed at the table,” said Campbell. “Women have the skills and abilities to be there. I would encourage anyone who has ever thought about serving the community to come out and find out if it is for them.”