Executive Council
September 12, 2014
Supporting Women in Politics
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Hosts Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians 2014 Outreach Program
Delegates from across Canada will be in St. John’s for the annual Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Outreach Program on September 15 and 16.
“It is an honour to have the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians in our province for the Outreach Program. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the importance of creating awareness with women and girls about the parliamentary system and the political process to increase the engagement of women in politics in our province.”
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
The overall goal of CWP is to increase the representation of women in legislatures throughout Canada and the Commonwealth. The CWP two-day program will consist of professional development sessions on topics such as women in technical and marine-related fields, women working in male-dominated occupations, and engaging youth in politics. Further details about the CWP and the Outreach Program can be found in the backgrounder below.
“We are very excited to be holding our seventh Canadian outreach in Newfoundland and Labrador. It will be a great opportunity to share experiences and hopefully inspire more women and girls to get involved in politics.”
- Myrna Driedger, Chair of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the importance of advancing women in leadership positions, including politics, through outreach programs and professional development initiatives.
QUICK FACTS
- The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Outreach Program will take place in St. John’s on September 15 and 16.
- The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians was founded by women delegates at the 1989 plenary conference to empower more women to participate in all levels of politics.
- Information on the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians can be found by visiting //bit.ly/1tN4LOf
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Media contacts:
|
Sara Norris Program, Policy and Communications Analyst Women’s Policy Office 709-729-6225, 709-631-9962 saranorris@gov.nl.ca |
Line Gravel Executive Secretary Parliament of Canada 613- 816-8004 Line.Gravel@parl.gc.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Parliamentary Association Focuses on Women in Politics
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) strive for better representation of women in legislatures throughout Canada and the Commonwealth.
Created in 2005, the Canadian Region of the CWP is comprised of women parliamentarians of the provincial and territorial Canadian legislatures and the Federal parliament. Its objectives are:
- To provide opportunities for strategic discussion and development for future and present parliamentarians;
- To increase female representation in our Parliamentarians;
- To foster closer relationships between Canadian women parliamentarians;
- To foster relations with other countries having close parliamentary ties with Canada; and
- To discuss, strategize and act on gender-related issues in Canada and internationally.
The CWP pursues these objectives by means of annual Commonwealth parliamentary conferences and regional conferences, outreach programs and participation in many campaign schools across the country.
CWP Outreach Program
The purpose of the CWP Outreach Program is to increase women’s representation and to educate, connect, empower and engage women and girls in all levels of government.
The objectives of the Outreach Program are to:
- Describe the multiple roles of the parliamentarians in their community, in communities and in the Chamber;
- Underline the importance of youth engagement in school politics and in communities;
- Explain the election process and talk about experience during campaigns;
- Offer support to candidates as they seek public office; and
- Underline the importance of community and constituency involvement.
2014 09 12 3:45 p.m.