An Airdrie resident is one of 30 Albertans who are spending the day at the provincial legislature for a meeting on women's political leadership.

Nyagua Chiek is a first generation South Sudanese Canadian living in Airdrie.  She is among the young women from Alberta's federal ridings who are Daughters of the Vote (DOV) delegates.  DOV is an initiative of Equal Voice Canada, a national, multi-partisan organization that's dedicated to electing more women to all levels of government. 

Nancy Peckford, the Executive Director of Equal Voice Canada says, "The quality of more than 240 applications from young women in Alberta demonstrates that many are eager to cultivate their leadership skills and actively participate in the political process."

Just 16 per cent of Alberta Members of Parliament and 26 per cent of all Canadian MP's are women.  Statistics show that in 2013 municipal elections, women were elected to 490 of 1,874 positions, an average of just 26 per cent.  Equal Voice Canada hopes to change that.

Nyagua Chiek, representing the Banff - Airdrie riding, is a strong advocate for women's rights and mass atrocity prevention.  She is a speaker and Youth Ambassador with Plan Canada and notes the heightened vulnerability and disadvantage of young girls and women globally.  

Chiek aims to pursue a degree in biochemistry and political science.  She was also a delegate at the United Nations Youth Assembly in New York and focused on gender equality.

DOV delegates from across Canada will meet in Ottawa March 7 and 8 to mark a century of women's suffrage and celebrate International Women's Day.

 

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