Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | March 08, 2018

When asked to share a glimpse of her upcoming book, set to release this year, Dr. Ruby Dhalla smiles, keeping the details under wraps. Instead, she offers a powerful quote: “Malala Yousafzai said it best—one child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”

A trailblazer in Canadian politics, Dr. Ruby Dhalla has remained grounded since I first met her in 2005 as a first-time Member of Parliament from the ruling Liberal Party. Her drive to create change remains constant, and if anything, her energy has only amplified. She has relentlessly championed women’s empowerment, ensuring that their voices are not just heard but make an impact.

“Women need to be empowered in using their voice, not just finding it. Women’s rights are human rights,” she says with conviction when asked about the most pressing aspect of women’s empowerment on a global scale.

A Global Leader: Bridging the Gap

With her deep understanding of both nations, Dr. Ruby Dhalla played a key role in bridging the gap during Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to India.

A global leader in public life, she remains a devoted daughter. “I’m the daughter and the sister at home—there’s no politician label. I have chores assigned to me like all daughters,” she says when asked if she receives any special favours from her mother.

Securing time with the dynamic leader—who still holds India close to her heart—was no easy feat. Our conversation spanned multiple countries, continuing after her visit to India, to ensure we completed the interview in time for International Women’s Day.

Opening Doorz knocks on her doors, and Dr. Ruby Dhalla is happy to open her heart and mind, sharing her thoughts on politics, people, promises, perseverance, passion, and more.

“The first thing I do every morning and the last thing I do every night is pray,” she says.

Excerpts:

Since 2004, from the time you were first elected into Parliament, till date, how has your political journey been?

The journey has been fulfilling, rewarding, and eventful. They say that sometimes God has a dream for you that is bigger than your dream for yourself.

“Politics is not about power. Politics is about the hopes, dreams, and desires of people in which they believe if they can Dream it they can do it.” This is your thinking, your reason for being in politics, to bring about a change. Has the process been seamless or have you hit roadblocks along the way?

Being the first woman of Indian origin elected to Canada’s parliament and being one of the youngest woman elected to parliament, the process has been filled with many sacrifices, struggles, stereotypes, and challenges. But for every struggle and every challenge, I have been inspired by the strong and talented women who have come before me and paved the way for both myself and women in general to have a voice. I have also been motivated and determined to persevere by a sense of great responsibility to the ideas, dreams, and aspirations of girls younger than me. I want them to believe that with perseverance, persistence, and passion they can achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams.  

“Women need to be empowered in using their voice, not just finding it!
Women’s rights are human rights.”

Continuing with the earlier question, how difficult or easy was it for you when you first set foot into politics, especially, officially as a Member of Parliament for the Liberals?

Being young, being a woman, and of a minority community, my election victory shattered the glass ceiling that existed at that time. Overnight, the election victory of a young Indo-Canadian woman and the first Sikh woman elected in the Western world broke many molds. On one hand, it was euphoric and inspiring to youth, women, and people of colour of the heights that could be reached and the opportunity that was possible; on the other hand, it was a greater sense of expectation and responsibility on my shoulders to raise the voices of my constituents and community that elected me.

Taking a cue from you, have there been any other women of Indian origin in Canada who have shown promise in politics, or have been motivated to join politics?

When I was elected in 2004, I was the first woman of Indian origin elected in Canada and the Western world. In the last Federal Election in 2015 in Canada, we elected 19 Members of Parliament of Indian origin with many women, four of them holding positions as cabinet ministers. In addition to the women elected, there are thousands of young women engaged and actively working and volunteering behind the scenes. The Indian diaspora has achieved tremendous heights in Canada. It is a nation of opportunity in which hard work makes dreams come true. This has been the most rewarding aspect of my journey.

Would you say the dynamics in politics would shift in India if more women were willing to join? Or rather, should there be more women joining politics in India?

I always believe that promoting the participation of women in politics is about humanity. The voices of our mothers, daughters, and sisters at the table are important. Since women make up over 50 percent of the population in India, the voices of women must be reflected in the programs and policies designed by the Government. Women need to transcend from being targeted as a voting block, to creators and implementers of policies and programs. Having the voices of women heard will ensure a stronger economy, stronger foreign policy, and a brighter future for both boys and girls.

What would your advice be for women in India who are in the decisive stage of joining politics?

In the book The Secret, it says, “Ask for it.  Believe it.  Receive it.”  So I would give women the same advice: Just do it. Believe in yourself and your dream. Surround yourself with positive people. Dedicate yourself to your cause and mission and remember nothing comes easy. With hope and hard work, anything is possible. This advice is not just for politics but applies to anything and everything in life your heart desires.

Did you have any nightmares vis-a-vis ‘sustained bullying’ from the men when you entered politics; Did you hear the snigger: “She’s a woman, what will she do”?

I did have to work ten times harder than everyone else. While many of my colleagues went for dinners, I would be in my office working until late into the night researching policies, calling back constituents, or reading about the issues I would be speaking about in Parliament. I believe, that regardless if one is a woman or a man, you have to perform and produce results. People may talk, but ultimately actions speak louder than words.   

What is that one motivating factor that has kept you active in politics for so many years?

I do it from my heart and give it all I got. I believe my life experiences have manifested in my ability to relate and connect with people, their struggles, their hopes, and their dreams, regardless of their socio-economic status. My motivating factor in politics is to make the impossible possible and to be a voice for the voiceless. Public service fulfills me and drives me.

“I always believe that promoting the participation of women in politics is about humanity. The voices of our mothers, daughters and sisters at the table are of incredible importance. Since women make up over 50 per cent of the population in India, the voices of women must be reflected in the programs and policies designed by the Government.”

Justin Trudeau has a 50 percent female cabinet, how did the men in the cabinet react to this?

It’s 2018. It was the need of the hour! 

And how have the women taken to this responsibility?

They’ve ensured the voices of women are heard and reflected in the policies, programs and initiatives of the Government.

You were honoured by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in India as one of the 100 Jewels of Punjab. You were among 100 distinguished Punjabis worldwide. This Award was for your contributions to Punjab, Punjabis, and Sikhs globally. How important was this recognition to you for your growth as a politician?

I was deeply humbled and incredibly honoured but I don’t believe awards define me or my work. The true reward is when you make a difference in someone else’s life.

You launched your Dreams For You to help victims of fraudulent marriages in 2014. To date, what has been the progress?

Dreams for You is one of a kind in the world. It helps young women who are victims of fraudulent marriages. It also provides educational programs in villages and empowers the girls with legal assistance. Dreams for You also works with the government to make policy changes to protect the daughters of India.

What got you to start a charity like this?

I desire to empower women. When I heard of the stories and plight of these women, I was moved. I felt I had a responsibility to help them. I had to raise awareness on this issue that was being silenced due to cultural stigma and stereotypes.

Have there been moments when you have said to yourself, ‘This is it for me. I need a career shift’. I can’t take it anymore.

Your mind is the power of your thoughts. For me, politics and people are my passion. In times of those moments, one must look inside themselves and be fearless and determined to keep moving forward. There’s a power in prayer and surrounding yourself with positive energy. 

According to you, which is the most important area women should be empowered, globally?

Now in 2018, Women need to be empowered to use their voice, not just find it! Women’s rights are human rights.

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