Girls rule in parliament

Girls rule in parliament. Parkdale-High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo, NDP Women's Critic, welcomed 18 girls from Annette Street P.S. and Runnymede P.S. to Queen's Park April 15, as part of her second Girls Government program. The program seeks to encourage young women to consider a political career. (l-r) DiNovo, Beatrice White, Ina Bobosel and Constituency Assistant Bhutila Karposhe. Staff photo/LISA RAINFORD

Far from content with this "terrible" statistic, DiNovo came up with the idea for 'Girls Government' as a way of generating excitement among girls to consider a political career while familiarizing them with the political venues here in our city, our province and our country. Girls in Grade 8 at Annette Street Public School and Runnymede Public School arrived at Queen's Park Thursday morning where they received a tour of the parliament building from Speaker of the House Steve Peters, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London.

"You'll get to see him do his job in Question Period," DiNovo told the girls prior to conducting their first press conference in the media gallery.

"Part of political life is doing press conferences," DiNovo explained.

This year, Girls Government, comprised of nine girls from Runnymede PS and nine from Annette Street PS, chose to address the social issue of youth homelessness and have a meeting scheduled with Ontario Housing Minister Jim Bradley.

"One of the aspects we wanted to open up is access to those who hold the power," said DiNovo.

DiNovo's hope is that some of the girls will want to pursue a career in politics, she said.

Ina Nobosel, a Girls Government representative from Runnymede PS, said the group is about young women who wish to make a difference in society.

"Girls Government gives them a chance to stand up for a topic they believe in," she said. "I've developed a new interest in politics and society in general."

Girls Government also develops research and speaking skills, among several others.

"I wanted to make a difference in the world," said Beatrice White, a Girls Government representative from Annette Street PS. "Most people my age don't get to be where I am today. Before trying to change society, you have to learn how it works. Government policies can be changed. Homelessness can be stopped once and for all."

While she said she doesn't know what it feels like to be homeless, White does realize that she takes luxuries like a bed to sleep in and a house to live in for granted. Raising awareness and educating is the group's goal.

"Our hope is that people will be inspired to improve the situation of homeless youth," she said.

Next month, the girls will travel to Ottawa for a meeting with a senior female cabinet minister.