Airdrie Woman Part of Inspiring Women In Politics

A young Airdrie woman was part of a delegation that is inspiring more women to enter political life.

Nyagua Chiek was one of the Daughters of the Vote delegates at the Alberta Legislature on Friday for a meeting on women's political leadership.

Daughters of the Vote is an initiative of Equal Voice Canada, a multi-partisan organization that is dedicated to electing more women to all levels of government.  Figures show only 16 per cent, or five out of 32 of Alberta's Members of Parliament are women.

Chiek called the experience "fantastic."  "Being chosen to represent the riding of Banff - Airdrie was obviously an honour.  Going there was incredible.  Meeting so many like minded girls who are also headed into the direction of wanting to encourage civic engagement and public policy change in the direciton of gender equality is so great."

Chiek says one of her favourite parts of the day was seeing the full range of the political spectrum,  "A lot of people assume it's more of a 'left thing' to be encouraging feminism in politics.  I met the premier, but also the president of the PC party in Alberta was there, along with a Wildrose MLA from Chestermere.  It was a really great, holistic experience to see how everyone could come together to encourage something that's so equally based."  

Chiek will also represent the Banff - Airdrie riding at a similar meeting in Ottawa in March.  "The meeting in Ottawa will be one representative from every riding in Canada that will involve the same sorts of things that happened in Alberta, but also keynote speakers like the first female Prime Minister of Canada Kim Campbell and networking opportunities."  

Being a Daughters of the Vote delegate has inspired Chiek to consider a political future.  "I've always wanted to be in politics, my dad was an armchair politician and I've always wanted to help people.  Going to an event like this and seeing how many people are working towards representing more accurately our population and politics and governance, it's definitely an encouraging thing to see so many like minded people."  

Chiek and the rest of the delegates from across the country will be in Ottawa March 7 and 8 to mark a century of women's suffrage and to celebrate International Women's Day.