One hundred years ago today some women won the right to vote. Take ACTION now for political equality! If you know a woman who would make a good MP then go to https://5050parliament.co.uk/askhertostand/ and ask her to stand via the new website. 50:50 will send her an inspirational email and if she signs up 50:50 will support and encourage her along the path to Parliament. This approach works, 50:50 inspired Rosie Duffield to stand and she is now an MP. Only 12 extra women were elected in 2017. Unless we take action it will take over 50 years to have a gender balanced Parliament. This matters because representation shapes policy - women should have equal say on how the country is run and planning the future. Tax on tampons is one example - when President Obama was asked why tampons were taxed and not razors he said "because men were making the laws when those taxes were passed". This is the tip of the iceberg, equal pay and pay transparency is another current example. Sarah Champion MP has been bringing this legislation forward since 2014 and it is having quite an impact. Thanks for your help! Frances, Hannah, Dolly, Elaine, Laura, Brian and 50:50 Team. 50:50 Parliament Links: Website: JOIN 50:50 at www.5050Parliament.co.uk Facebook Page: Like https://www.facebook.com/5050Parliament/ Facebook Group: Join https://www.facebook.com/5050Parliament/ Twitter: Follow https://twitter.com/5050Parliament?lang=en Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNf_RiJLsBAvg3w9aVr47Rg/videos 50:50 Parliament has been profiled in: The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/11571980/General-Election-Modern-suffragettes-fighting-for-political-equality.html Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/frances-scott/gender-equality_b_7540358.html Evening Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/letters/letters-to-the-editor-sort-out-london-bridge-station-10101673.html The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jul/16/daily-mail-downing-street-catwalk-female-ministers-outrage Over 52,000 people have signed the 50:50 Petition www.change.org/5050Parliament and some comments highlight why this is such a key issue: “Apart from the obvious injustice we are in no position to under-utilise so much talent” - Helen “I'm signing because evidence shows that better decisions are made by organisations if the gender balance is more equal” - Gwyn “I want my views to be understood and represented” - Zoe “The views of the country can't be represented and suitable policies developed, if we don't have a diverse parliament. We need more women to lead and participate in decision making” - Kate “If the institution of Parliament discourages women to participate, it is the institution that needs to change” - Malcolm