Topic: Encouraging Political Participation by Women
Country: Canada
Delegate Name: Ryan Claypool
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Canada position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
In the last century almost every country has seen a huge increase in women participating in both politics and government. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was ratified in 1948, promoted the participation of everyone taking part in his/her government, or electing representatives in their government at every level. Barriers are in place to help prevent countries from allowing discrimination against women and setting standards on how women should play a role in certain societies. It is still very common for certain countries to make women’s standards to work long excruciating hours, in poor working conditions, and settle for low wages. People don’t always realize that the leaders setting these standards for women are still mostly men. Showing women have not been able to set an example or standards for themselves in taking part in politics or government in their countries.
Canada’s 42nd Parliament currently has 88 women elected in the 338-member House of Commons, the most it has ever had. Comparison to the United States, where only 84 women currently serve in the U.S. House of Representative a body of 435 members. The world looks at Rwanda as the figure for women participation in government. ‘Equal Voice’, a political organization created in 2001 has made their agenda from 2013-2018 to promote women to run for public office in both provincial or territorial legislatures. Equal Voice also helps raise money and awareness, even brings people both sides of the political spectrum together. While at the same time advocating for democracy. The organization has some success, but Canada still ranks 46th on women’s political representation. Canada continues to push women to pursue a career in politics and government in hopes to hear.
Canada believes women’s leadership is the best tool to help promote political participation. Sixty-three percent of Rwanda’s parliament is held by women who are elected indirectly but appointed by party. Rwanda’s president – Paul Kagame promoted public health and gender equality in his country. Canada has helped promote political participation by women within our own country. Germany, whose Chancellor Angela Merkell, has held her office since 2005, can use their office and influence to demonstrate that working across party lines can help bring unification to many nations and their governments. If the UN also tackled issues that affect women such as sexual violence and women participation during transition of government, the committee would see results of women standing up for themselves in discussions and issues that directly affect them. That is why Canada would propose a resolution stating that the committee should be troubled by the slow decrease in political participation in both the UN and their countries, while the UN has not fully put its effort in helping women in others area such as reproductive rights and gender equality. A proposed resolution would help advocate for women in power to influence societies to promote women in politics and prevent countries from allowing them to seek public office. The resolution would target the Saharan African nations as well as China and Middle Eastern countries that have clouded women from the idea that they should have a voice in their government. Stating the committee is alarmed by the lack of women participating in their government, recommending that members of the United Nations shall spend the necessary amount of money and resources to create organizations with the intent to influence and raise money for women who seek public office in their countries.
