Dancing With The Octopus: Women in Politics in Canada & Beyond

• Proportion of women in the human race = 50%
• Critical mass for adequate representation set by the UN = 33%
• Proportion of women in federal politics in Canada = 21%
• Canada's Ranking - 46th (just behind Mexico and Pakistan)

Dancing With The Octopus: Women in Politics in Canada & Beyond is an entertaining, passionate, documentary that takes a proactive, non-partisan look at the systemic exclusion of women in politics in Canada and abroad. It asks, What needs to change, and how do we change it?

More specifically it asks, who'd want to do this? It introduces us to five spirited women, smart women who're nonetheless foolhardy enough that they are willing to dance with the octopus - to enter an embrace with the writhing, groping, crushing beast that is that male-dominated political system.

The documentary gets up close and personal with these women putting their lives on the line, determined to make a difference, whatever the cost. It shows us a lopsided world awkwardly shuffling its way to a better balance. For more details, please click on the PDF icon.

Outreach Videos

Three snappy, non-partisan, short (10 -15 minute) videos will be produced as companion pieces to the documentary inspiring women of all ages to start thinking of themselves as leaders and to actively engage in public life. The videos enlighten, encourage and invite – offering a good dose of reality, delivered with humour, political cartooning, training info, music, stats and stories from women who've been there, done that and succeeded or not.

National Tour

The final stage of this project is to initiate a national tour of universities, vocational and high schools, women's and business organizations, political associations, networking and community groups to screen the film/outreach videos, and encourage women of all ages to consider public life. A Q & A will be held with the filmmaker and local female politicians.

PLEASE HELP

...swing the hammer that will finally break the glass ceiling and open the door for more women to safely enter politics. If thousands of women support this media project by each making a tax-deductible donation of $100 (or whatever is comfortable), it will be possible to develop and produce the 3 Outreach Videos by Summer of 2010 with the documentary production soon to follow… Thank you.

For further info contact: Producer, Sandy Mayzell email: sandy.mayzell@maystreet.ca ph: 250 380-6656 ext 2

Partial List of Confirmed Participants to date

• Cathy Allen, Political Trainer, The Connections Group. Seattle Washington, www.connectionsgroup.org
• Dr. Lesley Byrne, scholar, advocate for women in politics, Chair Equal Voice
• Marlys Edwardh, Canadian litigation and civil rights Lawyer
• Sheila Gervais, political researcher
• Stephen Lewis, Co-Director, Aids Free World, www.aidsfreeworld.org
• Catherine Murray, Chair, Dep't of Women's Studies, Simon Fraser University, www.sfu.ca/womens-studies
• Tobie Orr, Personal Stylist to the Stars and Politicians.
• Nancy Peckford, National Executive Director, Equal Voice, www.equalvoice.ca
• Adrian Raeside, syndicated veteran political cartoonist, www.raesidecartoon.com
• Jennifer Sweeney, President, Canadian Women Voters Congress, www.womenvoters.ca
• Jane Taber, Globe & Mail political beat columnist

Politicians

• Dr. Carolyn Bennett, sitting federal Liberal MP
• Adriane Carr, Deputy Leader, The Green Party of Canada, recent co-Chair of the Women's Campaign School
• Hon. Senator Pat Carney (retired) Senator, Conservative
• Marlene Catterall, former Liberal federal politician
• Christy Clark, Former BC politician, Radio talk show host CKNW 980 AM
• Mary Collins, former Conservative MP, trainer at the Women's Campaign School
• Sheila Copps, former Fed Liberal Cabinet Minister
• Anne Edwards, former MLA in BC, author of Seeking Balance , women in BC politics
• Hedy Fry, sitting Liberal MP and culture critic
• Deb Grey, former Conservative MP
• Sue Hammell, sitting MLA in BC since 1991, has accompanied Cathy Allen to Jordan to train women up for seats in parliament.
• Carole James, official opposition leader, NDP, Province of BC
• Elizabeth May, leader of the Federal Green Party
• Isabel Metcalf, Canadian political advisor, former Liberal candidate
• Sheila Orr, former BC Liberal MLA
• Briony Penn, former Federal Liberal candidate
• Penny Priddy, Former NDP MP
• Denise Savoie, sitting NDP MP, Victoria, BC

Organizations

Canadian Women Voters Congress Women's Campaign School, Vancouver BC, a unique, nonpartisan, intensive three-day training course put on by the Canadian Women Voters Congress, offering women the tools they need to effectively engage in the political process at all levels. www.canadianwomenvoterscongress.org

Simon Fraser University Women's Studies Program, www.sfu.ca/~wsweb Equal Voice Canada, a not for profit Canadian organization whose mission is to promote the election of more women to all levels of Government and ultimately, change the face of Canadian politics. www.equalvoice.ca

National Democratic Institute, Washington DC, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government www.ndi.org

iKNOWpolitics.org – international online organization www.iknowpolitics.org Women's Campaign School Yale University, New Haven,Connecticut, www.wcsyale.org