She Governs inspires future political leaders for seventh year
Applications are now open for She Governs, an annual civic leadership program presented by The City of Calgary in partnership with Equal Voice Calgary. Now in its seventh year, the program invites young women and gender-diverse youth in Grades 9 to 12 to explore municipal politics and public service through an immersive, hands-on experience at Calgary City Hall.
Thirty selected participants will take part in She Governs on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., where they will step into the role of elected officials during a Model Council meeting and engage with leaders across local politics and public service during a Speakers’ Panel. She Governs is designed to give students firsthand insight into how municipal government works, from debating real policy issues to understanding leadership pathways in public service, while encouraging participants to see themselves as future decision-makers.
“When decision-making spaces don’t reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, our democracy is weaker for it,” says Equal Voice Calgary Chapter Chair Ziyana Kotadia. “Programs like She Governs are a critical early step in building a more representative, responsive, and inclusive local government in Calgary.”
Program Details
What:
- Model Council meeting
- Speakers’ Panel with leaders from local politics and public service
- Interactive learning focused on civic engagement and leadership
Who: Young women and gender-diverse youth in Grades 9–12
When: Friday, March 13, 2026, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Council Chamber, Calgary City Hall
Please note: Selected participants must also complete four hours of mandatory capacity-building and training between March 6 and March 13, 2026. These sessions will be scheduled outside regular school hours.
How to Apply
Students interested in participating are encouraged to apply before Feb. 6, 2026 . Visit calgary.ca/shegoverns for more information.
She Governs is made possible through the partnership between The City of Calgary and Equal Voice Calgary, a multi-partisan organization advocating for the equal representation of women in all levels of government across Canada.
About Equal Voice Equal Voice is a registered charity dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics through research, education, and leadership development. Since 2001, Equal Voice has worked to advance equitable representation of women and gender-diverse individuals at the municipal, provincial, territorial, federal, and Indigenous governance levels across Canada.
For media interviews, please contact:
Ziyana Kotadia
403-971-7644
calgary@equalvoice.ca