Join the fight for women's equality

Did you know there are only eight BME women and two openly gay women in Parliament, but 33 men called David?

Almost a century after winning the right to vote, men outnumber women four to one in Parliament. Women from diverse racial, cultural and class backgrounds are largely absent from positions of power. The Fawcett Society believes this represents a significant democratic deficit.

Solving the problem is challenging. Nearly two years ago, a committee of MPs and Peers from across the political spectrum published recommendations for more gender and race diversity in politics, but little action has been taken since.

Like OBV, Fawcett has long campaigned for radical measures to be put in place to challenge the status quo. Positive action – including all-women shortlists, quotas, and gender balancing lists of candidates – has been demonstrated both in the UK and internationally as the only sure-fire way to deliver significantly greater numbers of women into political positions. Political parties must commit to shaking up their party systems to encourage diversity.

If you feel angry that a group that makes up more than half of the population is treated like an insignificant minority, or that women MPs face more scrutiny of their clothes than their politics, we need you! The Fawcett Society is offering up to three exciting opportunities for co-option to our Board of Trustees.

For more details contact Geraldine Creaven on 020 7253 2598.

Click here to find out more on the Fawcett Society.

Anna Bird, Acting Chief Executive, Fawcett Society.