On 12th March, young women from all over the UK headed to Parliament to partake in celebration’s surrounding International Women’s Day, organised by MP Mary Macleod.  Considering that the world of politics is still predominantly male orientated and that of the 650 Mp’s that the UK has, only 148 are women – the day was aimed at educating more young women in the field of politics and inspire them to make a difference and make a change.

 

The day began with a tour of 10 Downing Street – which in itself was exiting enough to inspire any budding Thatcher’s to get more involved in a world which has so often been harsh and more often sexist to women. The tour enlightened the group with interesting and unknown facts about the house and concluded with a series of selfies being taken in front of the famous front door. The day proceeded with the girls being given the opportunity to shadow an MP for the afternoon, which could have involved sitting in on a debate on ‘violence against girls’ for those shadowing Mary Macleod; as well as vising the chamber and then witnessing a bill being passed between the two Houses. The day then concluded with Tea in Mr Speaker’s Apartments and a host of guests such as influential business women.

 

So did the day really prove to do what it set out to? Are the young women who were invited going to be more inspired to head down the dangerous, deceptive road of politics? Or are they going to remain in the shadows, outnumbered by misogynistic men and belittled by the anti-feminist society they have grown accustomed to? We’ll just have to wait a generation and see.

 

Louise Stevenson - Gumley House