A Calgary group aiming to get more women into politics is getting a jump start on the 2021 municipal election.

Members of “Ask Her” are raising awareness of gender-equality issues on Calgary city council.

On Thursday, the group held its first installment in a speaker series that explores why Calgary does not have gender parity on its council.

The panel featured two of Calgary’s current councillors, Druh Farrell and Diane Colley-Urquhart, along with Okotoks city councillor Tanya Thorn.

Gillian Hynes, who serves on Ask Her’s board of directors, said the group’s goal is to be a place where women wanting to run for office can get help kicking off their political career.

“We want to be a resource hub,” Hynes said. “We’re here tonight to start the conversation about counting women in to run for municipal politics.”

Hynes said the speaker series is not the only resource Ask Her is bringing to Calgary.

“We’re launching a program in 2020 called ‘Prepare Her,’” said Hynes. “It’s an experiential learning program where we want to give women the learning…and tools for what it takes to run for municipal politics.”