Still Counting

Still Counting explains why scholars and activists continue to count the number of women elected to Canada's legislatures, and demonstrates that, by any measure, women are only halfway to equal. The authors assert that an "electoral glass ceiling" is keeping women at or below the 25 per cent mark, restricting women to less than half of the seats that would be theirs in a democracy committed to balanced, equitable, and fair representation. Moreover, little is being done to address this democratic deficit. Despite drawbacks, such as the "revolving door" for female party leaders and continued sexism in legislatures, the authors also show how women can, and do, make a difference in politics.