How Do We Get More Women in Elected Office? It Starts With Girls.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Why more women in public leadership?
Gender parity aside, women have a different understanding on needs in policy areas such as healthcare, transportation, education and jobs. Women in elected office bring new perspectives to issues, which increases the likelihood of implementing effective and just solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems.
As the 2016 United States presidential campaign starts pacing with Hillary Clinton and Carly Fiorina in the race, it is exciting to think that this country could elect its first woman president. This would end over two centuries of men in the position and the United States would join other nations who have embraced women leaders.
“Globally, research has shown that ethnically diverse and divided nations that elect women rather than men to key national leadership offices end up with better economic performance. Columbia professor Katherine Phillips and her co-researcher found that for the most ethnically diverse nations, having a woman in the top national leadership position was correlated with a 6.8 percent greater increase in GDP growth in comparison to nations with a male leader.” states Steven Hill of The Nation.
Women in the U.S., Canada, and other hugely powerful countries have demonstrated women’s capacity to lead. But the fact is that most political leaders are still men. Women vote more than men, but are less likely to contact elected officials, contribute to political campaigns, and say they are interested in public affairs.
At Girls Inc., we believe this must change, and it is essential that it begins with girls. Just as women make up half the population, girls equal half of our future — half of tomorrow’s citizens, taxpayers, workforce, and parents. Girls are intelligent and capable, and they need to know this.
Moreover, as citizens of cities, states, and a nation in an ever-complex world, we deserve the best of their ideas and abilities. Today more than ever, we need them.
Parents, educators, and community leaders need to encourage girls to be more civically engaged and see themselves as future voters and office holders. Here are few ideas to start:
Girls have to see it to be it. Seek out political role models who are women, at the local, state, or national level. Make girls aware of them, not as an anomaly, but a normal career choice.
Encourage a girl to take on leadership roles by running for student council, leading an extracurricular group activity, or being in charge of a family project. Ask her what traits she has that would make her a good elected official and praise her when she displays such qualities.
When discussing problems in your community or the country, ask her what she thinks and what solutions she would propose. Ask if she were to run for office today, what she would center her campaign on.
Follow the 2016 Presidential Campaign together. Discuss the debates and headlines in the news.
Of course, inspiring girls to dream big and see elected office as a possibility is but the first step. It will then be up to us adults to support them in fulfilling this potential and standing up to the barriers they may face.
Related Slideshow: Women Leading in Central Massachusetts
Who are some of Central MA's high-level female bosses? GoLocal takes a look at some of the leading women in the region in their respective industries, in the private and nonprofit sectors.
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