Women are well represented in Kelowna municipal politics, and that害羞草研究所檚 a significant statement about gender equality in the city, said speakers at Thursday害羞草研究所檚 International Women害羞草研究所檚 Day event.
害羞草研究所淲e have four strong women and four men who support strong women,害羞草研究所� said Coun. Mohini Singh, at the event held at Stuart Park.
It害羞草研究所檚 a significantly higher proportion than other parts of the country. Status of Women Canada reports that in 2015, women made up 28 per cent of municipal councillors nationwide and only 18 per cent of mayors.
Being among a group of strong female leaders sets the stage for future generations, said Singh, noting that representation is the best way to create positive change.
害羞草研究所淲omen need to get out, be heard, be seen and be counted,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淲hen you are under-represented in seats of power, then legislation and policy and every important decision that is made does not include your school of thought. It害羞草研究所檚 important to encourage our young women to get out there and be a part of the community.害羞草研究所�
Mayor Colin Basran proclaimed Thursday International Women害羞草研究所檚 Day in Kelowna and said that strong female leadership can be seen all around city hall, not just within council chambers.
害羞草研究所淚 am very blessed to have independent, intelligent women working at City Hall making decisions and helping council lead this community,害羞草研究所� he said.
That said, there are places where Kelowna lags.
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released its annual report on the best and worst places to be a woman in Canada in October 2017. According to the centre, earnings for men and women in Kelowna are below the national average. The wage gap between genders in Kelowna is larger than the national average as well with women earning 66 per cent of what men earn.
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That same study showed that 40 per cent of women in Kelowna hold full-time jobs and unemployment rates for women are below those of men, which is on trend with Canada害羞草研究所檚 national average.
Her International害羞草研究所檚 Tamara McLellan said that for all the legitimate frustration women have, she was pleased to have a day where women were celebrated.
害羞草研究所淲e have speakers who will talk about women who are thriving in this atmosphere,害羞草研究所� she said.
害羞草研究所淚 feel like I am a woman who is empowered. I have got to know a lot of women害羞草研究所檚 organizations here and there are so many women with big hearts who are changing lives. And I think that Kelowna is an amazing environment for
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Her International is a non-profit organization that supplies women and girls with resources such as education and micro-financing opportunities. These women mostly live in Nepal.
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