Women's Equailty depends on BME inclusion

The Women’s Equality Party (WEP) launched in March of this year, their mission statement includes achieving equal representation in politics, business, industry and throughout working life. The co-founders of the political party are Catherine Mayer and Sandy Toksvig. Below Sophie Walker, the newly appointed Director explains why Black women and men are critical to their success.

It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.

This quote, from the brilliant African-American feminist Audre Lorde, has been on my mind a lot in the last few months. In July, I was appointed as leader of Britain’s newest political party, The Women’s Equality Party, which campaigns for a deeper understanding of difference in order to create a fair and flourishing society.

It’s a campaign that is close to my heart. For many years, I have lobbied for a better understanding of autism, particularly in women and girls, because too many brilliant people I know are marginalised and under-valued for not fitting the ‘normal’ mould. Since joining WE, I’ve realised how many other people, from extraordinarily diverse communities, crave the same thing: to live in a society that sees their difference not as a problem to be solved, but an opportunity to be seized.

Among the thousands of people who contributed to the development of our policies, many BME women shared their stories of being doubly disadvantaged in British society, due to the intersection of sexism and racism. My day to day job now includes the privilege of meeting community and activist groups, working to ensure that the unique voices of women of colour are heard, and that their particular experiences of work, community, education, healthcare, and violence are taken seriously by our politicians and public service-providers.

Throughout history, the vast majority of Britain’s leaders have been white, wealthy men, and that tradition persists today. Some early questions for our party have focused on whether our campaigns simply aim to put more middle-class white women into the positions of power currently occupied by those wealthy white men. I understand that concern. History shows that when we take great leaps towards equality for some, others are all too often left behind.

But that is not how WE work.

WE know that real equality for women has to include all women, and that one size does not fit all. WE are serious about involving BME women and men at every level of our organisation, as well as people with disabilities, LGBTQ communities, non-English speakers, and people from different socio-economic backgrounds.

Last month, we launched our first policy document - outlining pragmatic, achievable steps to making Britain a more equal place, so that all can flourish.

One of those policies recommends quotas in parliament to end the current mediocrity of intake from a tiny segment of the population. Another policy details fresh funding of specialist support services for BME women experiencing violence.

I would like to invite you to take a look at our proposals and to share your thoughts with us, to ensure that WE continue to develop and promote these policies in ways that truly represent you and your communities.

WE are always open to new members. You can join on our website here and find local branch meetings near you.

And together, we can recognise and celebrate how wonderfully different and diverse this country really is.

Sophie Walker