Mothers still face barriers getting into politics

Antiquated attitudes and a lack of affordable childcare are some of the biggest barriers to mothers participating in politics according to the organizer of a Vancouver event designed to help women who'd like to become more politically active.

Erin Arnold saysmothers sometimes still get judged with ideas such as "Why aren't you home cooking?"

That's why she helped organize the event Empowered Mothers,hoping to identify the challengesand find solutionsto moms becoming politically active.

Arnold has been active in politics for years.

She is with the Single Mothers' Alliance B.C. She isalso the president of the NDP's Vancouver-Quadra riding association and a member of the NDP Women's Committee.

But moreimportantly, she is a mother.

"I try to involve my son in meaningful ways," she said. "I find ways to engage him."

Isolation from community

Single mothers, impoverished mothersand mothers of equity-seeking groups have an even harder time joining the political sphere.

Sammy Jo Rumbaua, a co-organizer of Empowered Mothers and a community activist who ran for the park board on Vision Vancouver's slate, says isolation is an issue for moms.

"It can be difficult to stay in touch with community and news," she said.

"It's the struggle of how to continue to be that voice, when you're trying to raise a tiny little human."

She believes that building a community of mothers will help solve the feeling of being segregated.

Affordable and accessible childcare

Arnold saysone of the most effective solutions is providing affordable and accessible childcare.

She supports the $10-a-daychildcare campaign by the Coalition of Child Care Advocates.

Arnold adds there are other, creative solutions too.

"For example, we are going to hope that City of Vancouver will consider a daycare subsidy," she said.

"Women who might be engaged at city hall ... maybe, women can apply for thetwo hours they're at the meeting, to reimburse childcare expenses."

• B.C. government awards funding for 1,800 new childcare spaces

Forty women are confirmed for the event which will be held Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House on Victoria Drive in Vancouver. Tickets are free and the groupis, of course, offering free childcare.

A report will be also produced out of the meeting to document the challenges faced by mothers and potential solutions.