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How Supporting Women in Politics Benefits Everyone
Women belong in every political space. Yet in Canada, women hold only 30.8% of seats in the House of Commons, despite making up half the population. Increasing gender representation strengthens democracy, improves policymaking, and inspires future leaders. Learn why supporting women in politics matters and how you can help create a more inclusive, representative Canada.
Women’s voices are crucial in shaping policies that affect us all, and it's time we made sure they’re heard.
In Canada (as of April 2025), women make up just 104 of 338 Members of Parliament—compared to 230 men. That’s only 30.8% of the House of Commons, despite women representing 50% of the population. While progress has been made, we still have a long way to go in achieving gender parity in politics.
When women do rise to political office, they bring diverse perspectives, innovative solutions, and a deep understanding of the issues that impact families and communities. If we want a government that truly reflects Canada, we must work together to support women in politics.
Here’s why supporting women in politics isn’t just about fairness—it’s about better governance for all.
1. Women Bring Fresh Perspectives
Women politicians advocate for issues that directly affect Canadians, from childcare and healthcare to economic equality and Indigenous rights. Policies shaped by diverse voices lead to better outcomes for everyone.
2. Gender Parity Strengthens Canadian Democracy
A strong democracy is one where all voices are represented. With nearly 70% of MPs being men, political decisions don’t fully reflect the needs of all Canadians. Supporting women in politics means making our democracy more inclusive and representative.
3. Women in Politics Inspire Future Leaders
Representation matters. When young girls see women in leadership—whether as MPs, Premiers, or Cabinet Ministers—they understand that political spaces belong to them too. Role models in politics encourage more women to run for office in the future, ensuring ongoing progress.
4. Gender Diversity Leads to Better Policy-Making
Research shows that governments with greater gender balance are more effective at solving problems and addressing community needs. Studies of legislative bodies worldwide—including in Canada—reveal that women are more likely to introduce bills that focus on education, healthcare, and social welfare.
5. Supporting Women in Politics Means More Than Just Voting
Backing women in politics is about more than just casting a ballot. It’s about creating an environment where women feel encouraged, valued, and empowered to lead. This includes supporting women at all levels of government, from municipal councils to the House of Commons.
How You Can Support Women in Politics in Canada:
Mentor a woman considering a political career.
Donate to women-led campaigns.
Volunteer to help women candidates reach voters.
Advocate for gender parity in political spaces.
Educate yourself and others on barriers women face in politics.
Vote for women who align with your values and vision for Canada.
TL;DR
Despite making up half the population, women hold just 30.8% of seats in the House of Commons. Supporting women in politics leads to stronger governance, better policies, and a more inclusive democracy. Whether through mentorship, donations, advocacy, or simply voting, we all have a role to play in ensuring women’s voices are heard in Canadian politics.— More Resources —
Unlock Your Political Potential
Empower your political journey with our curated resources designed to elevate women in municipal politics.
Small Towns Leading the Way
We need everyone to start realising that these women are leaders and that their training on our community organisations are as valuable as the traditional experience and background we would normally look for in our politicians.
I have a theory about how rural towns are actually leading the way when it comes to equity in politics.
I spent some time at FONOM (Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities)’s annual conference and I had the opportunity to speak to a variety of mayors, councillors and municipal staff from all over Northeastern Ontario. The conversations were eye-opening.
Yes, there were a lot of men there. But there was also a lot of women. I looked carefully at their nametags and saw many of them were councillors and mayors. I’ve looked for data online for the names of councillors in northern rural towns but I haven’t gotten very far, so this fascinated me. I sought them out specifically to speak to them about their experiences.
The first pair of women that I met told me that they had gender parity on their council. I thought it might be a one-off until I met another woman who told me the same about her town council. I cruised through the conference, seeking out women in positions of power, and many of those women agreed - they were often not the only woman on their council and if their council didn’t have gender parity, it was usually pretty close to achieving it.
Many of the stories that they shared with me of how they entered politics were very similar, too. The woman in question had been a dedicated volunteer for her community for years, and then, a closure of some sort threatened to affect the town (usually a church, a school or a vital organisation). As a result, she had to spring into action to save the local landmark. After it was all said and done, someone suggested that she run for elected office so that she could continue to She didn’t feel like she faced sexism on her council. There, she felt safe and respected. The minute that she stepped out of her town, though, she noticed her male counterparts were often asked questions first or were regarded as the expert on their municipality.
What gives? How is it that rural towns in Ontario are leading the way for equity in politics?
Here is my working theory.
The one thing that these women had in common were that they were community leaders prior to being elected. They had all been dedicated volunteers - members of parent/teacher councils, coaches on sports teams, organisers of community events, members of community organisations, founder of community initiatives. They had been dedicated to the betterment of the communities for years before getting involved in municipal politics. Those roles are more noticeable in small towns, where everybody is connected. When these women are running for election, people are eager to vote for them because they have been proven community leaders for years.
I think that might be what is missing in cities, and why equity in politics is harder to reach there. While these roles exist in cities, they are not as noticeable or even considered remarkable. As a result, these roles join the long list of silent work that women do to ensure that our communities, no matter how big or small, are functional. We need everyone to start realising that these women are leaders and that their training on our community organisations are as valuable as the traditional experience and background we would normally look for in our politicians.
If these women can be the backbone of our communities, they can easily be the leaders of our wards, cities and ridings.
This blog post has been cross posted at Women's March Canada and Medium.
