Jasmina, is a law student at Bristol University and has been an active member of the National Council of Women GB for the past three years. She’s passionate about women’s rights, education, and creating equal opportunities for young women. She’s also part of the Young Women’s Network (18-30), working to bring more women into political leadership.
As a representative of the National Council of Women, I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the Inspiring Future Leaders APPG Women in Parliament International Women’s Day event on the 4th of March.
It was a privilege to engage with MPs such as Becky Gittins and Natalie Fleet, who shared their perspectives on women’s issues such as education, consent, and professional development. One of the biggest surprises for me was learning how personal and grounded their experiences in Parliament are, despite the often challenging nature of political life.
Their stories have inspired me, as well as other members of the National Council of Women, to launch a local campaign in Bristol focused on women’s safety in education—an initiative we are actively working on. This experience has not only deepened my commitment to these causes but has also fuelled my interest in pursuing a political career, making me feel more empowered to take on leadership roles in the future.
A key takeaway was the importance of networking, staying informed, and pushing through barriers. Being a woman in politics presents unique challenges, but it’s clear that female MPs are working hard to make Parliament more inclusive. I stand behind #Mission2028, working towards a future where equality is not just a goal, but a reality.
This experience has furthered my interest in pursuing a political career, and I now feel more empowered to take on leadership roles in the future.
To other young women considering politics, my advice is: get involved early, find your voice, and don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. Politics needs young women to bring fresh perspectives.
Hannah B is a Girlguiding Advocate:
On the 4th of March, I had the opportunity with Girlguiding to attend the APPG Women in Parliament event for International Women’s Day. The event was inspiring – being surrounded by so many strong women felt truly powerful. As well as meeting many wonderful people, the event allowed me to learn more about what it’s like to be an MP, and specifically what it is like for women in Parliament.
For the first half of the session, I was able to speak with Mims Davies MP, as well as Dawn Butler MP. Both women shared the realities of being female MPs – the challenges of not being listened to, of being taken less seriously, simply because of their gender. Yet rather than feeling discouraged, I left inspired. I learned about the joys of being an MP: being able to advocate for others, using your voice, uplifting other women.
During the networking session I met other MPs, Peers, and attendees from other charities and organisations. Talking with so many encouraging women gave me invaluable insight about getting into politics. The main message? Speak out, use your voice, and fight for what matters to you.
Our current government has more female MPs than ever before, but there is still a long way to go before we have a truly gender equal government. More young women belong in politics. As the event showed, it’s not only possible, but essential.
Abby, is a member of the 18-25 network at the National Council of Women of Great Britain, she is currently completing her studies for a BSc in Politics and International Relations at UCL:
The event was brilliant and enabled us to learn so much from members of parliament. Split into groups with other young people, it was amazing to interact both with the MP as well as meeting other young women from other organisations. In a world of zoom meetings, it was such a pleasure to be invited into the House of Commons to meet other young people advocating to advance the rights and opportunities of women and girls.
I particularly, enjoyed speaking to members who were elected last election, as they were able to give insight into the canvasing experience and how their new job role has changed their day-to-day experience. Overall, it was a fantastic evening, which provided both Q&A and networking experience, and above all it was amazing to see different networks of young women come together for such an enjoyable occasion.
My advice to other young women interested in politics: Don’t underestimate your voice. Engage locally, build genuine relationships, and support each other.
