Susan Thompson, the inaugural female mayor of Winnipeg, expressed concern over the prolonged absence of another woman assuming the mayoral position since her term ended nearly three decades ago. Thompson, who held office from 1992 to 1998, emphasized the necessity for gender diversification in leadership roles within the city.
Despite the upcoming October election for mayor in Winnipeg, none of the 11 registered candidates are women as of the recent Saturday update. Thompson urged women to step forward and register before the September 22 deadline, citing the importance of having a female leader after such a prolonged gap.
Thompson highlighted the challenges she faced regarding her gender during her tenure and stressed the need for a significant transformation to achieve gender equality in city governance. Currently, only 37% of council seats in Winnipeg are occupied by women, reflecting the underrepresentation of women in Canadian political spheres.
Kelly Saunders, a political science professor at Brandon University, noted the persistent barriers preventing women from entering politics, with women holding around one-third of elected positions across governmental levels in Canada. Saunders attributed the reluctance of women to run for mayor to the prevalent harassment, threats, and personal attacks that politicians, especially women and gender-diverse individuals, encounter.
The hazardous nature of politics, characterized by vicious and sexist attacks, was exemplified by incidents targeting Manitoba ministers’ offices last year. Despite these challenges, Saunders observed an increasing number of young women participating in political science classes.
Thompson, who was warned about the demanding nature of politics being a “blood sport,” emphasized the importance of integrity, courage, and effective leadership while in office. In a similar vein, Waverley West Coun. Janice Lukes acknowledged the arduous nature of politics but encouraged dedicated individuals to persevere and effect change.
In Brandon, Manitoba, the absence of female candidates for the mayoral position mirrored the situation in Winnipeg. Tracy Baker, co-founder of “Her Seat at the Table,” aimed to enhance gender diversity in municipal leadership roles. Kathy Valentino, president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, emphasized the importance of diverse representation in local governance.
Thompson advocated for the support and encouragement of potential female candidates, urging the community to actively identify and promote capable women for political leadership roles.