York University Seeks Answers

A request came over the transom today from a women's studies group at York University who are doing a small research project for a presentation for a women's studies seminar on activist groups.

The questionnaire wasn't necessarily directed at us but we thought that this group of students/scholars would no doubt like to know about the grass roots activism on a federal level that started a little more than two months ago here in Ottawa. The course focuses on the connections between gender, militarization, and globalization and the students will be presenting a brief overview during the seminar.

Here is the response which Esther and I worked on together:

The newly-formed grass-roots Women's Alliance Party is interested in offering you a brief overview of our ideals and principals.

We are a new federal political party particularly concerned that the top-down, hierarchical model of our current government is not serving Canada well and certainly, is not a model the most women (and many men) take well. Please see our website, www.womensallianceparty.com for more details.

Your questions and our answers below:

What would you say the uniting ideal and/or value of the WOMEN'S ALLIANCE PARTY would be?

We are a movement that seeks to engage more women and men to recognize the limitations and failure of the current paradigm and adopt a model that is synergistic, inclusive and post-heroic. Women will not wish to get involved in politics so long as we do not have electoral reforms, without which marginalized groups, smaller parties and majority groups such as the 51% of female Canadians will never have a representative voice.

Is the WOMEN'S ALLIANCE PARTY concerned with trying to attain a diverse membership that is representative of all women and reflective of all their identities?

Absolutely. We are inclusive and men are welcome to join.

While women are united under one title there are benefits to working independently versus organizing transnationally is there a particular reason why the initiatives have remained separate rather than becoming part of a broader collective?

We are keen on expressing the tenets of the Women's Alliance Party around the world and will seek to establish connections everywhere. Our vision is a Women's Alliance Party in every country where women need more political representation.

What are some of the challenges you encounter in your initiative?

Not enough hours in the day to do everything we must to ensure registration of WAP/PAF within the next two months. We want to be on the ballot in the upcoming federal election.

The name we have chosen gives rise to discussions and starts conversations. It is mostly some female academics and some men, especially from ethnic backgrounds, who object to the name. Interesting.


From Esther Matharu, Leader, Women's Alliance Party
Shannon Lee Mannion, Secretary, Women's Alliance Party
www.womensallianceparty.com




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