#GenderEqualParliament Pledge

Women are 51% of the population but currently account for only 35% of MPs. In fact, there have only ever been 563 female MPs – all together they wouldn’t even fill the House of Commons Chamber. 

We are calling on political parties, candidates and others to sign up to our pledge to support actions that will deliver a #GenderEqualParliament by 2028. 

We are calling on the parties to make manifesto commitments to: 

• Enact Section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 so that all parties are required to publish diversity data on candidates standing for elections to the House of Commons, Scottish Parliament and the Senedd. 
• Create a new body to drive diversity and inclusivity reforms in the House of Commons.  This body should review recommendations made to date and lead and push forward the gender sensitive parliament agenda including overseeing regular future audits.
• Commit to addressing online violence against women and girls through legislation and other mechanisms. Solutions should focus on prevention and safety by design and be future-proofed to tackle emerging harms.
• Review parliamentary procedures and support systems to ensure they work for MPs with caring responsibilities. This should include ensuring all MPs have access to parental leave.
• Extend the provision in the Equality Act 2010 allowing All-women shortlists until no longer required.
• Undertake a review of measures introduced in Parliament during the pandemic for their impact on diversity, and reintroduce those which improve predictability and flexibility of work for MPs
• Reinstate a formalised funding scheme for disabled candidates and ensure it is accessible and run by disabled people themselves.

Centenary Action Convenor, Helen Pankhurst, wrote to party leaders to ask them to support our #GenderEqualParliament pledge. See below for their replies: