Championing Change: Leadership in Politics
At local and global levels, women in political leadership face significant challenges, despite their proven abilities as change agents.
In alignment with the our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, in 2024, UVic partnered with to host two events that aimed to address disparities and provide tools for change.
2024 Women Leading Change in Politics, Post-Event Highlights
This year, UVic partnered with to spotlight women leading change in politics in hopes of inspiring meaningful action towards greater inclusivity in politics.
The two events inspired meaningful action towards greater inclusivity in politics.
On Sunday, February 25 2024, UVic hosted an interactive, in-person Campaign School. Participants earned a CIFAL certification backed by the United Nations. The course offered skills and resources to run for political office at any level in Canada.
After learning about the elements of a campaign, attendees participated in a condensed mock campaign exercise, which culminated in presentations and two winners!
On Monday, February 26, the Women Leading Change in Politics Panel featured four fabulous speakers and a talented moderator (details below). The conversation was thought-provoking and inspirational while engaging with challenging realities.
“Know who you are, and carry-on full force towards your goals,” Jody Wilson-Raybould said in response to an audience member’s question about how to stay strong as a racialized woman.
When the panelists were each asked to share their origin story, the theme among them was that no one had followed a straight line, and none of them could have predicted they would end up where they are now. “I’m no superhero,” Minister Niki Sharma joked, “I wasn’t bit by a spider.” Most of the panelists shared a driving sense of community service as the foundation of their political journey.
Minister Grace Lore emphasized the shared responsibility for us to ensure we are sending a clear message to racialized and equity-deserving peoples that they also belong in political roles and spaces.
When asked what the most surprising lesson about the world of politics was, Minister Niki Sharma responded that despite the fundamentally personal nature of being a politician, it was essential to learn not to take things personally.
Rachael Segel spoke to the g