Women’s representation in politics must stay on the agenda – Fawcett
Fawcett comments on House of Commons Speakers Conference report
The Fawcett Society welcomes the House of Commons Speakers Conference recommendations as a step in the right direction, but warns that these must be robustly implemented if they are to result in better representation of women within our democratic institutions.
Commenting on the launch of the report Ceri Goddard, Fawcett Chief Executive said:
“In the lead up to the General Election Fawcett will be asking all the political parties what meaningful steps they will take to tackle the scandalously low number of women in political leadership positions. ”
“Less than 20% of our MPs are women and political parties who are serious about tackling this democratic deficit must take bold action to increase the number of women in their ranks.”
The report has also been welcomed by other women’s rights campaigners.
Nan Sloane, Centre for Women and Democracy Director said:
“We are encouraged by many of the report’s recommendations but do not believe that the next election will produce the significant increase in women’s representation that we need. The challenge for the next government – of whatever party – will be to take the report’s recommendations forward and make sure that we see some real change.”
“We also hope that all the parties will take the Conference’s recommendations on quotas seriously – the Conference accepts, as we do, that quotas are a last resort option, but if we do not see genuine progress at this election it is our view that the last resort will have been reached.”
See also: Winning Women’s Votes, Ceri Goddard on Radio 4′s Woman’s Hour
