"Audio Guide for Emerging Female Politicians: Overcoming Political Disinterest"
Journalist Alexandre Duval has created a podcast called "Political Disengagement," which delves into the experiences of six women who have left their political engagements in Quebec. The podcast is being released before the fall's municipal elections and the 2026 provincial election, aiming to shed light on the obstacles women face in politics.
The women interviewed include Marie-Chantal Chassé, Liza Frulla, Catherine Dorion, Émilise Lessard-Therrien, Agnès Maltais, and Isabelle Lessard, the young mayor of Chapais. Marie-Chassé, a former minister, recounts feeling "crucified" after being thrown almost unprepared to the journalists.
Duval's podcast aims to help future politicians, particularly women, better prepare for the realities of politics. He argues that women in politics face more obstacles than men and are sometimes judged more severely, with importance placed on superficial aspects like clothing or the way they speak. Duval insists that he didn't want to paint an exclusively negative picture of politics but rather a faithful representation of the diversity of experiences in politics.
The municipal sphere is particularly tough for women, who are more likely than their male counterparts to experience harassment or verbal violence. Last year, a report concluded that female politicians were leaving politics due to feeling underutilized by their party and facing issues such as sexism, double standards in the media, and exhausting work-life balance.
Duval aims to develop a culture of respect by demystifying political work and making it more understandable to the general public. He sees "Political Disengagement" as a way to give a voice to politicians who rarely have the opportunity to confide in their difficult moments. The podcast is a five-episode series and is being used strategically in Arthabaska-L'Érable to block the Conservative leader in a by-election.
While specific details about the podcast are not available in the search results, broader context and related information about women facing barriers in Quebec politics and society suggest that common challenges include gender-based discrimination and biases, structural barriers such as political party dynamics and societal expectations, and the impact of intersectional factors like race and Indigenous identity. Historical precedents like Nicole Juteau, Quebec’s first female police officer, encountering education and professional barriers reflect similar gendered obstacles that can translate into political spheres.
For an authoritative summary of Duval's own discussion, consulting the original podcast or its direct sources would be necessary.
The podcast "Political Disengagement," created by journalist Alexandre Duval, reveals the struggles faced by six women in Quebec politics, including former minister Marie-Chassé who felt "crucified" by journalists. Duval aims to help future politicians, particularly women, prepare for the realities of politics by highlighting the obstacles they face, such as sexism, double standards in the media, and exhausting work-life balance. The podcast also aims to develop a culture of respect in politics by making it more understandable to the general public. In addition to these challenges, women in politics often encounter gender-based discrimination and biases, structural barriers, and the impact of intersectional factors such as race and Indigenous identity. Historical examples, like Nicole Juteau, reflect similar gendered obstacles that can translate into political spheres.
