Strength in Every Story: An International Women’s Day Article

By Anurika (Rika) Onyenso

Advisory Board Member and Outreach Coordinator

Photo Credit: Government of Canada

International Women’s Day 2025

International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8th, is a time to reflect on the incredible courage, determination and resilience of women throughout the world. The Government of Canada’s theme for 2025, “Strength in Every Story,” honors the power of every woman’s journey. 

“Passion is not something to suppress—that’s what makes change in the world.”

— Rakhi Pancholi

MLA Rakhi Pancholi. Photo Credit: Alberta New Democratic Party Website

Interview with MLA Rakhi Pancholi

Rakhi Pancholi, the Deputy Leader of Alberta's NDP and MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud, is a passionate advocate for civic engagement and equality.

We had the privilege of connecting with her to ask some insightful questions for our International Women's Day feature, where she shared her experiences, values, and the importance of empowering women and marginalized communities:

How many years have you been an MLA, and how did you navigate entering the legal profession, and then transferring into politics as a woman?

This is Rakhi Pancholi's second term as MLA, having been elected in 2019. However, running for office wasn’t something she initially planned. Before entering politics, Rakhi spent thirteen years practicing law. She studied political science at the University of Alberta, went to law school at the University of Toronto, and even had the opportunity to study in Africa. For her, law was a path that inspired her to make a meaningful difference, and that passion eventually guided her into government work.  

Rakhi spent eight years working on government education policy and five years with school boards, in addition to her time in private practice. Although she didn’t initially plan on running for office, politics had always sparked her interest. She was involved with an organization called ParityYEG, which encouraged gender parity in politics and public offices. At first, she thought she’d be supporting other women running for office, but then she was approached to run herself.  

As a mother of two, a friend who was also a lawyer and a mom introduced Rakhi to Deputy Premier Sarah Hoffman, sparking a conversation that ultimately inspired her to run for MLA. Rakhi has always wanted to create a more just world for her family and be a voice for women, children, and people of color. Running for office became a way for her to make a direct impact. While there are many barriers for women to run for office, Rakhi saw no downside in giving it a try—entering without the expectation of winning, but with the intention of doing her best.

With the decisions made in the legislature, I’m sure it’s hard to please every single individual. How do you navigate these conflicts? Do you find yourself leaning more towards a compromise of some sorts, or is there another method? 

For Rakhi, the most important people to represent are those who cannot vote, such as children and marginalized communities. She believes in listening openly to everyone, understanding that personal values can sometimes conflict with party values. When these conflicts arise, she works collaboratively with her team to reach a resolution and understand the decision-making process.

Rakhi recognizes that many constituents, especially those who are disenfranchised or too busy, may not have the time or resources to reach out. Because of this, she makes a concerted effort to connect with these groups, by visiting schools and community events. Her focus is not on winning every argument but on being true to her integrity and building trust with her community, recognizing that her time in office is temporary.

Rakhi has learned to trust her instincts and is therefore confident in going against the grain when something doesn’t feel right. When things don’t go as planned, she believes the best approach is to forgive herself and move forward with a commitment to continue doing her best.

What are ways in which everyday people can get in contact with their MLAs?

Rakhi wishes more people would reach out! The best ways to connect are through email, social media, or by calling her office. She values hearing directly from her constituents, knowing that while it can be challenging to measure the immediate impact, their concerns always make a difference. Rather than organizing events for people to come to her, she prefers to meet them where they are. That's why she spends a lot of time in schools, staying engaged with the youth community. The most rewarding part is when children recognize her and feel comfortable approaching her. They see someone they can relate to, creating a safe space that encourages them to get involved in politics themselves.

Advocacy often requires persistence, have you ever had an initiative that initially faced a lot of resistance but eventually gained traction?

Affordable childcare has always been a cause close to Rakhi's heart and a driving force behind her decision to run for office. She is relentless in advocating for its importance, consistently raising the issue and discussing it at every opportunity.

When the government of the day signed the $10/day childcare plan into law, Rakhi didn’t receive direct credit, but she was deeply moved by the flood of messages thanking her for her tireless advocacy.

Not all advocacy efforts lead to immediate change, how do you stay motivated and keep pushing for issues that may possibly take years to come to fruition?

Rakhi has had to accept that change doesn’t happen overnight and that trying to do everything at once isn’t sustainable. It can be especially discouraging, when it feels like progress is regressing instead of progressing.

However, being involved in the community helps her recharge. Rakhi recognizes the privilege of having a platform and the responsibilities that come with it. Even when things are difficult, she pushes forward, knowing that giving up would mean losing everything that has already been achieved.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Rakhi would tell her younger self to fully embrace her passion, especially as a woman. 

Women are often told to “tone it down” or made to feel that their passion is a weakness, but Rakhi has grown to realize it is the opposite—a strength. She would remind herself never to suppress it, but to take pride in its power and recognize that it can truly make a difference.

Virtual Interview with MLA Rakhi Pancholi, Priscilla Ojomu, Anurika (Rika) Onyenso, Maya Stricker, Salamat Ibrahim and Annie T. Photo Credit: Canada Confesses Advocacy Institute

About Canada Confesses Advocacy Institute

Canada Confesses is on a mission to uncover the reality that Canada, like many other countries, still grapples with racism and social inequalities. We work to shed light on the systemic challenges faced by marginalized groups and encourage open, honest conversations about these issues. By offering a platform for underrepresented voices, Canada Confesses hopes to raise awareness, spark change, and build a more just society for all.

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Canada Confesses Advocacy Institute is not affiliated with any political party—it is an independent, nonpartisan platform committed to social justice and equity.