This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Wilfrid Laurier chapter.

According to the United Nations, women only represent 24% of all national parliamentarians around the world as of November 2018. The increase in women’s involvement in parliament has only increased by about 11% since 1995. There are only ten female heads of government worldwide. Rwanda has the highest number of women parliamentarians worldwide. But what does all of this mean?

Data collected by the United Nations over the years continue to show that women around the world aren’t getting involved in politics. If they are, the positions that they are allotted in are typically stereotypical. Women work in healthcare, environmental and even educational positions. There has never been a female Prime Minister in Canada that was voted in by the people.

Women are left out of positions that are outside of the sexist beliefs of society. The most common portfolios held by female government ministers include environment, natural resources and energy. Umm, does that sound like it’s tied to a common phrase? Maybe, “Mother Nature”? Why aren’t women finance ministers or defence ministers? How come women keep stepping down or are voted out of leadership positions?

During the early days when Canada was still on the road to becoming where it is today, women were excluded from voting, let alone parliament itself. Women were deemed unworthy of a voice in politics and incapable of “thinking” as men do.

Long story short, women have been pushed out of the political limelight because of outdated, stereotypical beliefs. Subconsciously, women are submitting to these norms to this day. We’re still trying to be quiet, ladylike and obedient rather than bold, powerful and strong-headed. Women are not child-bearing humans that are tied to the kitchen. While there are females entering previously “male only” career pathways, there still are not enough women entering the political landscape.

Women constantly have to choose between having a family or their career, and those that choose the latter are often shamed. As sad as it seems, the burden falls onto our shoulders to strip ourselves free from barriers like those. We need to shatter those glass ceilings and break free from the sticky floors. If a man is angry, he is passionate but when a woman is angry, she’s being bitchy? No. I don’t think so. These minor changes in attitudes are what determines the bigger picture.

We have to lift each other up rather than get caught up in living out Hollywood or Bollywood stereotypes of what a female is like. End girl-on-girl hate, call out people on their misogyny and sexism. You have the same rights as the man sitting in the same room as you. The only sad difference is, you have to fight for your voice to be heard. Of course, there will be intersectional problems that don’t look the same for everyone. But if we conquer our smaller battles, we’ll be ready for the bigger ones. So, do it for the sake of being a woman. Then, do it for the sake of the women of colour, the LGBTQ+.

Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, is a wonderful example of what pristine women leaders can do. In the face of adversity, she brought her country to stand in solidarity. The youngest prime minister to give birth while holding office. She has taken her child to the General Assembly at the United Nations. In the light of the Christchurch mosque shootings, she sprang into action to make change happen and during recent events, she proves yet again, her astounding leadership. Women like her are essential in the political landscape. New ideas, new hope and it’s all personally felt. Fueled by passion.

Ladies, the personal is political. The waves of feminism, this constant battle for the rights that women have been deprived of for so long. These fights don’t end out on the streets after a long day of chanting and holding up carefully crafted witty signs. They continue on in the realm of policymaking to ensure that the legislature does not forget that from her, kings are born. Fight for adequate representation in parliament so your voices are heard and that your rights are protected.