Women in Municipal Politics - Obstacles and solutions

Towards Parity is a project being implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities with funding from Department for Women and Gender Equality (formerly Status of Women Canada). We will be developing a national action plan to help address some of the potential barriers that exist for women (of all identities) entering into, being elected to, or remaining in municipal politics. Through previous consultations we have prioritized 6 of the identified barriers, recognizing that note all women experience all barriers while other may experience compounding impacts from these obstacles.

We would like to ask your input about the barriers you perceive to have the greatest affect on women's decisions to engage or stay engaged in municipal politics. Thank you for taking the time to respond to the survey. It should only take 5 minutes of your time.
Si vous préférez répondre au sondage en français, veuillez suivre ce lien:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJP6TRD

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* 1. Would you ever consider running for elected office at any level?

Yes

If no, please state why

Please rate the following statements based on how true you perceive them to be. Think of yourself and of women you may know.

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* 2. The accessibility of resources, including information about how to run, fundraising, roles and responsibilities, etc. is easily available for women who are new to municipal politics.

False

Unknown

True

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 3. A lack of inclusive policies, such as parental leave and telecommuting, would be a deterring factor in a woman's decision to run for or remain in elected office.

False

Unknown

True

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 4. There are practices/services in place within municipalities that would help women balance their personal responsibilities with their position on council.

False

Unknown

True

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 5. Women might be hesitant to engage in politics, as they believe they would not be taken seriously, or would be excluded by their colleagues (male or female).

False

Unknown

True

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 6. Women would be more likely to consider a campaign for municipal office if they had support from a prominent community member and/or from someone those close to them.

False

Unknown

True

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 7. Women may be hesitant to engage in politics because they fear that they might face intimidation or harassment due to their gender identity.

False

Unknown

True

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 8. You, or women you know, have the same chance of running a successful campaign as any male candidate with the same qualifications.

Yes

No (If no, please state why)

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* 9. Below is a list of potential barriers women face when choosing to enter or remain in municipal politics. Please rank the following barriers from most (1) to least (6) prominent, based on how you believe they may hinder women’s participation or success.

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* 10. People of different identities often experience barriers differently, or to a compounding effect. In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges for women of intersectional identities when thinking about running for municipal office?

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* 11. Please indicate which areas need to be improved in order to minimize the effects of each barrier. Select all that apply.

	Policies	Information and training	Community involvement or mobilization	Funding or financial resources	Technology	Administrative or practical support	Other
Lack of information, resources, tools	Lack of information, resources, tools Policies	Lack of information, resources, tools Information and training	Lack of information, resources, tools Community involvement or mobilization	Lack of information, resources, tools Funding or financial resources	Lack of information, resources, tools Technology	Lack of information, resources, tools Administrative or practical support	Lack of information, resources, tools Other
Lack of practical support and inclusive practices for women	Lack of practical support and inclusive practices for women Policies	Lack of practical support and inclusive practices for women Information and training	Lack of practical support and inclusive practices for women Community involvement or mobilization	Lack of practical support and inclusive practices for women Funding or financial resources	Lack of practical support and inclusive practices for women Technology	Lack of practical support and inclusive practices for women Administrative or practical support	Lack of practical support and inclusive practices for women Other
Lack of encouragement, support, and mentorship opportunities by leaders	Lack of encouragement, support, and mentorship opportunities by leaders Policies	Lack of encouragement, support, and mentorship opportunities by leaders Information and training	Lack of encouragement, support, and mentorship opportunities by leaders Community involvement or mobilization	Lack of encouragement, support, and mentorship opportunities by leaders Funding or financial resources	Lack of encouragement, support, and mentorship opportunities by leaders Technology	Lack of encouragement, support, and mentorship opportunities by leaders Administrative or practical support	Lack of encouragement, support, and mentorship opportunities by leaders Other
Higher burden of family responsibility/lack of inclusive policies	Higher burden of family responsibility/lack of inclusive policies Policies	Higher burden of family responsibility/lack of inclusive policies Information and training	Higher burden of family responsibility/lack of inclusive policies Community involvement or mobilization	Higher burden of family responsibility/lack of inclusive policies Funding or financial resources	Higher burden of family responsibility/lack of inclusive policies Technology	Higher burden of family responsibility/lack of inclusive policies Administrative or practical support	Higher burden of family responsibility/lack of inclusive policies Other
"Old boys club" attitude/informal networks	"Old boys club" attitude/informal networks Policies	"Old boys club" attitude/informal networks Information and training	"Old boys club" attitude/informal networks Community involvement or mobilization	"Old boys club" attitude/informal networks Funding or financial resources	"Old boys club" attitude/informal networks Technology	"Old boys club" attitude/informal networks Administrative or practical support	"Old boys club" attitude/informal networks Other
Intimidation/harassment	Intimidation/harassment Policies	Intimidation/harassment Information and training	Intimidation/harassment Community involvement or mobilization	Intimidation/harassment Funding or financial resources	Intimidation/harassment Technology	Intimidation/harassment Administrative or practical support	Intimidation/harassment Other

Please provide any details regarding your responses.

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* 12. If you (or a woman close to you) were considering running in the next municipal election, what is at least one specific service or support you hope would be available?

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* 13. Do you identify as:

Male

Female

Non-binary

Prefer not to say/other

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* 14. Are you

Under 18

18-34

35-54

55-64

65+

prefer not to answer

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* 15. In which province do you reside?

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* 16. Do you identify as coming from an urban or rural area?

Urban

Rural

Thank you for your time and input.