美国政界女性面临严峻挑战（在线收听）

美国政界女性面临严峻挑战

The U.S. Congress,a place of power that is still dominated by men.“Women only got the right to vote since 1920 and government moves very slow."

美国国会仍然是男性掌权的权力机构。“妇女直到1920年开始才有投票权，政府对此的举措非常缓慢。”

Yet women are making gains said Congresswoman Mimi Walters though not enough.Walters was part of a panel discussing why more women are not in congress in public office.

国会议员米米·沃特斯表示尽管不够，但正有所改善。沃特斯参加了这次讨论为什么更多妇女没能进入国会和政府机构的研讨会。

One reason is negative perception of the government says Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.

而夏威夷的女议员图尔西·加巴德表示其中一个原因是政府的负面观点。

“I think there is a disconnect, especially from the millennial generation from highly successful highly talented people, great innovators, who are saying why should I get involved with this dysfunctional entity called government."

“我认为缺乏联系，尤其是那些获得成功、具有才华又勇于创新的千禧一代会说，我为什么要涉足这个功能失调的政府机构？”

Even if women are interested in running for office may not have the tools to win a election campaign.

即使妇女有兴趣投身于竞选当中，可能也不具备获胜的条件。

“You can't get your message out if you don't have any money and I think part of the problem for women in raising money is a lot of times women will be in the workforce and do what I did, leave their job and stay home with their kids and then they lose that network of people."

“如果你没有钱就没办法传递信息。我想妇女筹款面临的问题是很多人像我以前一样，辞去工作在家中照顾孩子，这样就会失去与人们的联系。

And it is those networks fund a campaign.

而正是这些与人们的联系提供竞选所需资金。

While some challenges women face may not have a simple solution, panelists such as Lobbyist Laura Cox Kaplan say there are things that can be done to get more qualified women to successfully run for office.

尽管摆在妇女眼前的一些难题不是很容易就能解决，但参与者的说客劳拉·卡普兰表示还是有办法可以让更多合格妇女在竞选中获胜。

“Talk to your organization about ways in which you can invest in a pipeline of young people. We have created a program in the summer that brings in young college age women that exposes them to people like Mimi and Tulsi, shows them this great example, teaches them a bit about Washington, and helps them realize that this is a dream that can actually be their dream."

“和你的机构进行沟通，想办法培养年轻人。我们设立了一个暑期项目，让年轻女孩和女大学生了解米米和图尔西这样的女性，给她们树立优秀榜样，让她们了解华盛顿，帮助她们认识到，这个梦想是能够实现的。”

And having women mentors is critical to having more women in politics, says Walters.

沃特斯表示妇女人生导师是让更多妇女参政的关键。

“Women have to lead by example and we have to look at the future of our country, and I think it is our responsibility to mentor those young women."

“妇女需要以身作则，我们要着眼于国家未来，我想我们有责任担当那些年轻女孩的人生导师。”

With the hope that mentorship will show young women what government can be and inspire them to run for office.

她希望通过这样的方式让年轻女性看到政府的潜能，鼓励她们投身政坛。