The Women’s Action Alliance for Change has sent out a press release this morning noting that:
It is a fact that Nova Scotia lags behind other provinces in terms of women’s participation in municipal government. Although 52% of the population is female, women currently make up only 21% of municipal councillors, only 4% of mayors and wardens, and only 22% of chief administrative officers.To help women walk through the decision-making process of selecting the best candidate, WACNS has put together a voting guide, which includes a checklist of issues. The guide specific to HRM is here.The issues that women care about—affordable housing, child-care, accessible transportation or recreation programs are often not front and centre in municipal election campaigns. It may therefore not being surprising that many low income and marginalized women do not vote.