Empowering Change: Ask Her Expands to Edmonton to Champion Gender Parity for 2025
One of the strategic goals WAVE is championing is to empower women and gender-diverse individuals to take an active role in municipal government. However, statistics reveal that women often need to be asked three times before they even consider running for office.
In the last week of August 2024, WAVE members had an inspiring meeting with Harnoor Kochar, a board member of Ask Her, an organization dedicated to preparing women and gender-diverse people to enter the political sphere. Their program, Prepare Her, which originated in Calgary and its surrounding areas, is now set to expand into Edmonton.
But does Ask Her’s program actually help people get their foot in the door? Harnoor shared some compelling evidence of its success:
“In the 2021 municipal elections, 13 former participants of our program ran for municipal government or school board trustee positions. Today, four of them serve as elected City Councillors: two in Calgary, one in Airdrie, and another in Okotoks.”
With their expansion into Edmonton, this is a prime opportunity to gain essential skills and acumen for municipal politics through practical, hands-on sessions and knowledge to help run a successful campaign. Even though Edmonton has reached gender parity on City Council, there remains a pressing need for more women and gender-diverse voices to influence decision-making and drive change. With the next Municipal Election scheduled for October 20, 2025, now is a perfect time to get involved! This program is great not only for those wanting to enter the political sphere themselves, but also for those who want to be involved by working on political campaigns as part of the team.
WAVE Member Stella Igweamaka believes in the power of this initiative. She sees it as a crucial step toward increasing representation in politics and leadership, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and valued. Stella also recognizes that Ask Her’s program can be a lifeline for those who may lack the financial means to afford such opportunities, making it accessible to all who aspire to lead.
Applications for Prepare Her are currently open, and the deadline to apply has been extended to September 11. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference! Please see the links below to apply and learn more about Ask Her!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askheryyc/
Twitter: https://x.com/askheryyc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ask-her-yyc/
Apply Here! https://askheryyc.org/about-prepare-her
