A new play is shedding light on the challenges and barriers faced by women in politics in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Titled “Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women in Politics,” the play is a collaboration between playwrights Sarah McDonald and Megan Coles, and is set to debut at the LSPU Hall in St. John’s on March 8th, International Women’s Day.
The play follows the journey of three women from different political parties as they navigate the male-dominated world of politics in the province. It explores the systemic barriers and discrimination that women face in their pursuit of political leadership.
According to McDonald, the play was inspired by the lack of representation of women in politics in Newfoundland and Labrador. “We wanted to bring attention to the fact that there are very few women in positions of power in our province,” she said.
Indeed, the numbers speak for themselves. Currently, only 14 out of 40 seats in the provincial legislature are held by women. This is a stark contrast to the national average of 29% female representation in Canadian legislatures.
The play also delves into the personal struggles and sacrifices that women in politics often face. Coles, who is also an actor in the play, shared her own experience of running for office in the 2019 federal election. “It was a grueling and emotionally draining experience,” she said. “I had to constantly prove myself and my qualifications, while my male counterparts were given the benefit of the doubt.”
The play has received support from various organizations, including Equal Voice NL, a non-partisan group that advocates for more women in politics. “We hope that this play will spark important conversations about the barriers facing women in politics and inspire more women to run for office,” said Equal Voice NL co-chair, Jennifer McCreath.
The play’s debut on International Women’s Day is fitting, as it serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality in all aspects of society. “We hope that this play will not only entertain, but also educate and inspire change,” said McDonald.
“Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women in Politics” is a timely and important production that shines a spotlight on the challenges faced by women in politics in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a call to action for greater representation and equality in the political sphere, and a reminder that the fight for gender equality is far from over.
