At the end of last week, two women had filed nomination papers for this fall's municipal election. A lot can change before the Oct. 25 vote, but this doesn't bode well for an increase in female representation on city council.

This lack of representation is a problem nationwide, where on average, one in five elected officials is female.

Seeing that shortfall, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has set a goal of 30 per cent female councillors by 2026. Hamilton, with its two women on the 16-member council, has a paltry 12.5 per cent.

"If we were to reach the target this year, we would need to elect five women," says Denise Doyle, co-chair of Elect More Women, a Hamilton group, which has helped women prepare for elections since 2006.

Historically, there has been a dearth of female representation on Hamilton council. From 1931 until 1946, Nora Francis Henderson was the lone female. Following her defeat, no women were elected until 1981. Until the late '90s, two was the standard.

Three women – Andrea Horwath, Mary Kiss and Geraldine Copps – were elected to Hamilton council in 1997 and in 2000 and 2003, just two won seats in the last election.

Doyle says women generally face more barriers – child care, elder care and other priorities at home – than their male counterparts, which keeps them from considering a career in politics. It's hard to be a full-time candidate and have a full-time job as an elected person, she says.

"Horwath, now leader of the Ontario NDP and MPP for Hamilton Centre, believes Elect More Women can help get more women looking at public service.

The former Hamilton councillor says politics is often seen as a bloodsport, “a nasty in-your-face arena” that is generally the domain of men.

“It's something that women don't think of automatically, that they would necessarily be a good representative or that they would fit in that role,” she says.

But women are taking more leadership roles outside the home and having a family doesn't have to be an impediment, says Horwath, who was first elected when her son was four years old.

Doyle suggests women might consider a run for school board, where trustees generally have a smaller workload than councillors.

"It will prepare you for the meeting structure, being involved and making decisions in that kind of format," she says.

Doyle says it is important to have a female voice at the table, especially when policy decisions affecting women are being made.

"We think their contribution would be significant to the outcomes of policies," she says.

Maria Pearson served three terms on Stoney Creek council and the last two terms on Hamilton council. She has never thought of herself as a female councillor, but rather as someone capable of doing the job.

Having more women just for the sake of having an equal number of each gender won't make for better representation of all people, she says.

“I'm looking at ability,” she said.

She concedes that while she was able to hold office with two young children during her Stoney Creek council days, the workload on the current city council would make it difficult for a woman in a similar situation today.

"You certainly have to have the tremendous support of your family," says Pearson, who plans to run again for the Ward 10 seat this fall.

The next four free Elect More Women municipal election seminars are Feb. 16 (campaign tools), March 23 (canvassing), April 13 (preparing for debates) and April 20 (media for candidates). On May 15, a full-day conference will be held. For informaiton, visit electmorewomen.wordpress.com

For election information, visit ww. hamilton.ca/election2010