How to make Westminster work for women

Over the last century, women have gone from not being able to vote or stand for office, to making up more than a third of MPs elected to the House of Commons. Yet while the representation of women at the highest levels of public life has increased, this has arguably not translated into a working environment that is free from discrimination, with recent reports of “wandering hands” in the House of Commons chamber and a climate where misogyny is described as “rife”.

This and other incidents involving the conduct of individual MPs have led to Westminster again being dubbed “Pestminster” – a term which originated after a series of sexual harassment allegations emerged five years ago.

In this online event our panel discussed the changes that are needed to break the cycles of sexism and misogyny that prevail in the corridors of power, to the disadvantage of all women.

Panel:

Sarah Childs, Professor of Politics and Gender, University of Edinburgh

Hannah White, Deputy Director, Institute for Government and author of 'Held in Contempt: What’s Wrong with the House of Commons?'

Sonia Khan, Associate Director, Cicero/amo and previously Special Adviser to the former Chancellor, Sajid Javid MP, and his predecessor, Philip Hammond

Rosie Campbell, Professor of Politics and Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, King’s College London (chair)