As the sound of anti-abortion pro-life campaigners raging against women accessing health care quietens down thanks to new buffer zones being introduced to protect women making difficult choices, so too do the voices of women in Afghanistan who are no longer able to talk to each other due to new laws being introduced which are literally silencing women.

Women here looked on aghast as the US voted emphatically for a man and a campaign that denigrated women. Notwithstanding the crimes of which he has been accused and convicted, Trump has a heinous track record of disrespecting women. He is a man who has already been instrumental in the rollback of women’s rights, with the forfeiting of Roe v Wade. Women in the US are so scared that they are being advised to stock up on birth control and file for divorce immediately if they are in an unhappy or abusive marriage. This shows the level of fear about what could come to pass.

In Iraq, the proposal to lower the age of marriage to nine years old is yet another huge blow – not just for feminism and women’s autonomy but for children’s rights. Women are being assaulted in Iran for protesting against ‘modesty measures’; women in America are being told ’your body; my choice’; the dearth of women leaders at the COP 29 summit (when women are proven to be instrumental in affecting positive change in this existential crisis) – it all feels like the clock is turning backwards. 

It is terrifying that these policies and norms are being written into the 21st century. This means that the fight for equality is still ongoing. We must not get complacent as we see our sisters losing ground all over the world.

We are far from out of the woods in the UK, but our progress with women’s representation has meant that women’s lived experience has come to bear on policy-making and legislation. Evidence shows that it is not just women’s voices that create an impact; when more women are present, men are more likely to act in women’s interests. Whether it’s the gender pay gap, domestic abuse, miscarriage leave, pregnancy discrimination, women veterans, sexual violence in conflict, kinship care and more, women have been leading the charge to create positive changes – not just for women but for everyone.

50:50 Parliament was delighted to work with MP Carolyn Harris on this year’s #AskHerToStand campaign and hear from Carolyn about the changes she has made since becoming an MP, including making children’s funerals free and tirelessly campaigning on menopause issues. This year has seen the introduction of a government menopause employment ambassador to help women experiencing menopause symptoms stay in work and progress in their careers and new ‘safe access’ buffer zones around abortion clinics. 

The government has also announced a national strategy to protect women and girls at risk of violence and has pledged further investment in maternity services. For the first time, childcare was included in the spring budget last year, finally recognising that childcare is essential infrastructure that enables mothers to work and impacts our economy. All of these developments will significantly improve the lives of women in the UK and are a great example of what can be done when more women are at the table.

However, further progress is not guaranteed, which is why 50:50 Parliament works so hard to encourage and support women to stand for elected office, including through the annual Ask Her To Stand campaign, which falls on 21 November, the anniversary of the Qualification of Women Act. It is essential that we keep pushing; if we don’t, we are at risk of a regression in women’s representation at the next general election.

Only 31% of all candidates in July’s general election were women, which was a step backwards from the 35% in the 2019 election. We cannot afford to get complacent and expect further progress to happen by magic. We need 62 more women in parliament to reach equal representation, which will be hard-won. Every seat must be fought for. 50:50 Parliament is committed to equal seats for an equal say, and we are asking people everywhere to Ask Her To Stand so that we can support more women to become elected officials and help not only safeguard women’s rights but also shape the future of our country.

Be part of the 50:50 #AskHerToStand movement and inspire women to #SignUpToStand today at www.5050Parliament.co.uk/signuptostand.

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