Please help us today by nominating 50:50 Parliament's #AskHerToStand initiative for a Democracy Award (the deadline is Sunday 27 May 5.00 pm). The link to the form is here and some info to help you fill it in is given below: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/make-your-nomination-for-the-democracy-awards-2018 50:50 Parliament's #AskHerToStand initiative deserves "Changemaker of the Year Award" because: Situation: At the last general election only 12 extra women were elected, at this rate it will take over 50 years to get gender balance in the Commons. Evidence suggests that women are 50% less likely to consider a political career than men and need to be asked three times before they will stand for political office. Task: 50:50 Parliament aim to increase political engagement by women, to inspire and support 117 more women in getting elected, encouraging women to join political parties and put themselves forward to be candidates. Action: This year 50:50 have made their #AskHerToStand initiative the thrust of their campaigning efforts. The 50:50 website has been redesigned so that everyone can help recruit women to Westminster by nominating women who would make a good MP. 50:50 send an inspirational email to nominees, encouraging them to sign up to stand. 50:50 help them take the next step along the path to Parliament. 50:50’s #AskHerToStand volunteers support women in making contact with their preferred Party. Result: So far 120+ women have been asked to stand and 100+ women have signed up to stand via 50:50. Everyday people are engaging with the campaign, with women signing up to stand each week. An Ambassador coordinator has volunteered to work with 130+ 50:50 Ambassadors to raise awareness nationally. 50:50 are working with many organisations eg. Fawcett Society, Women’s Institute and Centenary Action Group to take the #AskHerToStand campaign much further in future. We hope the paragraphs above will help you fill the form in. If we win the Award it will raise the profile of 50:50 #AskHerToStand. 50:50 really need your help and the help of your friends in nominating us - so please take action for equal seats and equal say today - it takes just a few minutes to fill in the form and submit it to nationaldemocracyweek@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Thanks! Frances, Sonia, Dolly, Brian, Elaine and Dowshan Register support at www.5050Parliament.co.uk Address: 50:50 Parliament, Bark Place, London W2 4AR