5 Simple Reasons Why We Need More Females In Congress Now

If it is not already obvious.

1. The Female Perspective Needs to be Considered in Law Making

Via harmonydreven.blogspot.com

Women made up only less than a 1/4 of those who were called to testify in front of House committees and subcommittees. Law making is done in these committees, and the witnesses who are called to testify help legislation be considered.

In 2012, for the hearing about birth control in the Affordable Care Act, not a single woman was called to testify.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/09/women-house-witnesses_n_5791524.html

2. Women Are Great Legislators

Via i1299.photobucket.com

"When in the minority party, then, female legislators’ tendencies to engage in compromise and facilitate deal-brokering put them in an advantaged position in comparison to male legislators in the minority, who tend to be less consensus-oriented."

-Craig Volden

http://www.batten.virginia.edu/content/news/average-women-congress-are-more-effective-lawmakers-men

3. Everybody Else is Doing it

Via wifflegif.com

18.5% of Congress is made up of women; however, in the Nordic countries, 42% of parliament is made up of women, and in other European countries, 20.9% of parliament is made up of women. In Rwanda, women are 53% of parliament!

http://therepresentationproject.org/resources/infographics/repinfo2/

4. Young Girls Can't Be What They Can't See

Via themetapicture.com

Girl's leadership goals peak at age 8. Only 21% of girls believe they have the qualities to be leaders, but 90% of teenage girls do not dismiss the idea of being leaders. Having empowered women being leaders in this country can inspire confidence in young women, and, therefore, inspire a generation of leaders.

http://therepresentationproject.org/resources/infographics/repinfo3/

5. We Won't Reach Gender Parity in Congress Until 2121

lifeinprogress.ca

According to a report by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, at the rate women are being elected into office, it will take over 100 years to reach parity in Congress(. That's 100 years of the female perspective not being minimized in law making, 100 years on missing out on women's ability to compromise, 100 years of not being progressive, and 100 years of depriving generations of women role models.