Op-Eds

Electoral systems determine how votes translate into power. Certain systems result in broader representation and give voters greater power in electing their representatives

Women have made progress -- with a looooong way to go

Thirty years ago, the world’s largest country dissolved: The Soviet Union broke apart into 15 new and independent states, leaving a region comprised of some of the world’s youngest nations and democracies to date.

Since 1995, the global average of women in elected positions has increased from 11 percent to 26 percent. While still a far cry from gender balance, it’s great news that we’re headed in the right direction.

While Canadian political parties have remained committed to recruiting more women, improvements in outcomes continue to be slow.

How did Germany manage to elect a woman leader who achieved unity, stability and economic growth through some of the most turbulent years in history? Because Germany has embraced a political system with less barriers for women.

As of January 2021, the United States ranks 67th in the world for women’s representation.

The lack of women in elected office is not the result of a lack of qualified women, but our electoral system which continues to hamper women’s attempts to run, win, serve and lead at equal rates to men.

It has been 100 years since women won the right to vote in the United States and, for many of us, this anniversary is cause for both celebration and reflection.

A 42 percent female House shows what quotas and fairer voting can deliver.