Looking for young women, gender-diverse and gender non-binary youth to take part in a simulated Council Meeting
Inviting all young women, girls, gender-diverse and gender non-binary youth in Ottawa to become City Councillors for the day – They Govern – a virtual event being held on Saturday, May 15th, 2021 in conjunction with Equal Voice Ottawa. To ensure the safety of all participants, this event will be held online.
Join Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, Councillor Catherine McKenney and Councillor Catherine Kitts as they share their roles and responsibilities working for the municipal level of government. Discussions will be followed by a simulated City Council, where participants will have the unique opportunity to represent the ward/community that they live in, under the guidance of the Deputy City Clerk. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!
Deadline for application is May 5th ! Sign up at They Govern – Become a City Councillor for the Day / Nous Gouvernons – Devenez un conseiller municipal pour la journée
Read the Ottawa Citizen column by Brigitte Pellerin
Overview
Equal Voice National Capital region (EVNCR) is a local chapter affiliated with Equal Voice National.
Equal Voice is a national, bilingual, multi-partisan organization dedicated to electing more women to all levels of political office in Canada. Equal Voice NCR’s purpose is the same, but with a focus on the National Capital Region.
The Equal Voice NCR She Governs initiative is a pilot project that will bring high school girls to the City of Ottawa to represent their wards in a simulated council meeting, and to learn about how city council works, along with how to be an engaged citizen in Ottawa.
Both Calgary, Alberta as well as Saint John’s, Newfoundland’s city councils have both held She Governs programs.
Objective & Outcomes
The She Governs initiative aims to build on the success of the federal Daughters of the Vote program to expose emerging young female leaders in Ottawa with the city’s political institutions and those people serving them at the most local level. In partnership with the City of Ottawa, EVNCR aims to equip, and inspire young women to participate in the formal political sphere in the years to come.
Desired Outcomes:
- Expose local young female leaders to municipal politics;
- Introduce delegates to female councilors who have broken through the barriers that women often face in elected politics;
- Introduce delegates to local politicians at all levels, creating a sense of accessibility within the political process. Delegates would be encouraged to continue engaging with their Councilor after the program, possibly through volunteer work;
- Provide a forum where young female leaders can speak to local issues that they are passionate about;
- Foster an enthusiasm, excitement and desire for involvement in elected politics; and,
- Encourage more young women to run for office.
