Annual Women’s Parliament proposed at meeting

YELLOWKNIFE (March 12, 2014) –  New approaches to encourage women to run in upcoming elections, such as an annual Women’s Parliament, was one of the topics discussed at the bi-annual meeting between the Status of Women Council Board and the Minister Responsible for Women Bob McLeod. The Minister and the Board also discussed ongoing issues of mutual interest including government policies affecting women and their families.

“The Status of Women Council works in a number of areas to help ensure women’s voices in our territory are heard and represented in the work force, communities and in the Legislative Assembly,” said the Minister. “I am pleased that the Board is supportive of a proposed idea to hold a Women’s Parliament.”

The proposed Women’s Parliament would be similar to the Youth and Elders’ Parliaments already held, but will require discussion among interested parties including the Legislative Assembly, said the Minister. In the past the Status of Women Council has run community workshops to encourage women to run in elections.

The Minister also spoke at the Wise Women Awards ceremony honouring recipients Karen Willy (Yellowknife), Pamela Faith Gordon (Aklavik), Patricia Modeste (Délįnę), Sister Margaret (Maggie) Ann Beaudette (Hay River) and Harriet Geddes (Fort Providence).

“The Status of Women Council is very proud of the Wise Women Awards as a way to recognize outstanding women who work to improve the status of girls and women in their communities and in the North,” said Tina Gargan, President of the Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories.

With this year’s recipients, 103 women have been awarded the Wise Women designation since 1992.

The NWT will be co-hosting the Federal/Provincial/Territorial meeting of Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women in June 2014.

For more information:
Shaun Dean
Press Secretary
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2304
Email: shaun_dean@gov.nt.ca

NT5