Could feminism fend off threats to our democracies? You better believe it can.
Many countries around the world are growing deeply concerned about the health and well being of their democracies. China's foreign interference in elections is is a major concern at the moment for Canada, as it has been to New Zealand. But foreign governments are not necessarily the greatest to the health of democracies. In fact, one of the greatest threats to democratic well being may be a lack of feminism. On this international women's day, Dr. Gabrielle Bardall takes us through the concerns and threats that arise when democracies shrug feminism. She also makes the case the democracies are best prepared for foreign threats and interference when they embrace feminist principles. Check out this episode of GDP to learn more. An educator, advisor and activist, Dr. Bardall has worked to advance democracy and human rights in over 60 countries worldwide over the past two decades. She has advised and trained diplomats, legislators and civil servants from Parliament Hill to Capitol Hill. Recognizing that "democracy" as we know it and support it around the world often replicates structures of oppression, she started her own consulting firm in 2019, Herizon Democracy, to bring feminist vision to international democracy assistance. She has advised the US National Security Council, State Department and NATO on feminist approaches to democracy support and offered testimony to Canada's Parliament. Bardall has worked with leading organizations in realizing this vison, including numerous UN agencies and international non-profits. A prolific author and public speaker, she holds degrees from McGill University (BA), Sciences-Po Paris (MA) and l’Université de Montreal (PhD). She received the American Political Science Association’s Congressional Fellowship and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Doctoral Scholarship for her work in comparative democratization. Dr. Bardall lives on the South Shore of Nova Scotia with her husband and toddler twins. Visit Dr. Bardall at Herizon Democracy. Follow Dr. Bob on Twitter: @ProfessorHuish