ERS: New documentary exposes barriers facing women MPs
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Tuesday, 18, Dec 2007 12:00
“This is Westminster calling…”
New documentary exposes barriers facing women MPs
A new radio documentary from the Electoral Reform Society is shedding light on the obstacles facing female parliamentarians.
The documentary, made in association with Women’s Parliamentary Radio, examines the issue at home and abroad. It asks why now, 90 years since women won the right to sit in parliament, that their numbers remain so embarrassingly low.
Dr Ken Ritchie, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society said:
“The gender imbalance in our parliament is not a niche concern. It should be a burning issue for all MPs.
“We hope this documentary serves as part of a conversation on the barriers that the face women in parliament, a system and a culture that are frankly unfit for a 21st century democracy.”
Boni Sones, Executive Producer for Women’s Parliamentary Radio said:
"Women’s Parliamentary Radio is proud to be working alongside the ERS to produce journalism of such high quality. Linda Fairbrother has talked to women parliamentarians and academics here and abroad, and as she has found out that structural change is needed if we are to move closer to an equal representation of women and men in the British Parliament.
“We need to reform the voting system or allow some further form of positive discrimination. Linda's special report leaves the listener in no doubt that Britain is now lagging behind much of Europe when it comes to achieving gender equality in our Parliament."
Notes to Editors
Listen online at http://www.wpradio.co.uk/
Women's Parliamentary Radio is a not-for-profit organisation run by women journalists for women MPs across party. It reports on issues of concern to women and their families. It is supported by a number of influential organisations such as Fawcett, the ERS, the Hansard Society, the EOC, the WNC and the BBC and ITV. Leading female politicians in the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties are listed supporters. www.wpradio.co.uk now carries video interviews too.
Contacts
Please contact the Press Office at the Electoral Reform Society on 020 7928 1622 or Ken Ritchie on 07754 165551
For more on the Women’s Campaign contact women@electoral-reform.org.uk
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