I’m delighted to have been made the Conservative Party’s Vice Chairman for women. Having women around the table changes the conversation. Women’s life experiences aren’t more or less important than men’s – but they are different. We need more women to get involved in politics and make their voices heard. This year, as we celebrate 100 years since women got the vote, is a golden opportunity to encourage more women to stand for election.
I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had in life; more than my mother, and immeasurably more than my grandmother. Recent progress includes companies reporting gender pay gaps, mothers and fathers sharing baby leave, and more funding for things that particularly affect women like domestic violence and perinatal mental health. But there is much more to do. I want to shine light on things women experience that don’t get talked about, and challenge the invisible barriers we face in our day-to-day lives.